How to run an antivirus scan on your computer or phone?

You wanted to put up a strong defense against online threats, so you downloaded and set up your antivirus software. However, with different scan options available, choosing the one that suits you best can be difficult, and you may not know where to start. Understanding how to get the most out of your antivirus scan will help protect your device and remove viruses and other malicious activity.

It’s worth noting that checking for threats varies depending on the device and software you use. That’s why I’ll share the step-by-step process tailored for major devices – so it won’t feel overwhelming for less tech-savvy users.

In this article, I’ll show you how to run an antivirus scan and help keep your computer or phone protected from online dangers. As we’ve run tons of effective scans over time, I can now provide expert guidance on scheduling automatic scans and keeping your computer clean.

Before running your first antivirus scan

For an efficient scan of your device, it is recommended to use antivirus software. We tested a bunch of antivirus programs and can recommend Norton as one of the most effective for running such scans.

Once you download and install the antivirus software, you can run the first scan. Keep in mind that it will likely take some time. The antivirus software has to thoroughly search even the farthest corners of your device. And that’s good because, in that way, it can find threats lurking that are not in plain sight.

Run a scan with Norton

How to run an antivirus scan

The signs of a virus infection can be as innocent as a slowed-down device, a lack of storage, or unexpected pop-up windows. But there’s no need to worry, as trusted antivirus software will catch and effectively remove malicious threats attacking your device. Below, I’ll show you how to perform scans on different operating systems.

Windows

To run a scan on a Windows computer, I recommend using the best antivirus for Windows, such as Norton 360.

1. Go to your antivirus app
2. Choose the preferred scan type
3. Start the scan to check for threats
4. Remove any threats that you find, following the provider’s instructions
5. It’s also a good practice to use real-time protection to monitor for any threats constantly

Mac

To check for viruses on a Mac computer, I suggest choosing a reliable antivirus for Mac, such as TotalAV.

1. Open your antivirus app
2. Start a full system scan
3. Remove any malware that you find using the antivirus provider’s instructions
4. For added security, you can also activate real-time protection

Android

If you have an Android device, I advise using a powerful antivirus for Android apps, such as TotalAV Mobile Security.

1. Install the app and open it
2. Run a full scan and check for any suspicious activities

iPhone

If you own an iPhone, I recommend using a trusted antivirus for iPhone, such as TotalAV.

1. Download the app onto your iOS device and open it
2. Run a full scan and check whether your phone has been infected

Different types of virus scans

All types of virus scans have unique functions and different scan times to accomplish their mission. Here’s a short overview of each type you can usually find to check for viruses:

• Quick scan. This is surface-level scanning of the device’s hotspots. Since it only takes a few minutes, it is best used as part of your daily cybersecurity routine.
• Full scan. This extensive scanning covers all file directories on your device and even those connected to it. I recommend using it at least once a week. Remember to arm yourself with patience before performing it, as it may take ten minutes to an hour.
• Custom scan. This is targeted scanning that looks at specific areas of your device. It’s good for those situations when you’re worried that your downloaded file might have a virus.
• Scheduled scan. This can be a quick or full scan that you can schedule for a specific time. You can set it to run when you’re not using your computer, especially at night.

Why running regular antivirus scans is important

Regular antivirus scans protect your device and secure your data while giving you peace of mind. If you're like me and forget to run an antivirus scan regularly, scheduled scans might help set a routine. You can schedule automatic – quick or full – scans whenever you won’t use your device, like at night.

Establishing such security practices now is better than dealing with the consequences of the lack of them later. Poor cybersecurity hygiene attracts malware, ransomware, and other types of unwelcome threats.

What to do after an antivirus scan finds threats

If you run an antivirus scan and it detects threats in the files or programs on your device, the next step is to review them and take some action:

• Uninstall programs. If an antivirus scan flags a program as a threat, the simplest way is to remove it.
• Disable programs. You can also disable a program if you’d rather keep it. Disabling programs ties its hands from receiving updates or running in device memory. However, it’s not deleted, and its data hasn’t been completely removed.
• Add them to the Trust list. If the approved program was flagged, you can add it to the list of trusted programs. These programs are only scanned if they change after an update or reinstallation.
• Delete the files. Flagged files can simply be deleted from your device. The virus will no longer spread or have a chance to wreak havoc.
• Keep the files. If the flagged files aren’t harmful, you can decide to hold on to them.

Bottom line

Checking for threats regularly safeguards your device and secures your data. For the best cybersecurity hygiene, I recommend performing quick scans daily, full scans at least once a week, and custom scans when you notice infectious symptoms on your computer or phone.

You can schedule time for all your scans by using an antivirus. For example, Norton security features include monitoring and detecting threats that you can review and take action.

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