How to Remove a Facebook Virus & Prevent Infections in 2024

Facebook’s popularity has made it a platform that many hackers use to spread malware to people. It’s possible you’ve already been exposed to a Facebook virus if you saw or clicked a suspicious link on a post or a message from a friend.

To help check for and remove any virus from your device, I would recommend getting antivirus software. I tested several antiviruses and picked the best ones to defend against Facebook viruses. These apps offer 100% malware detection via scans and features like built-in firewalls, VPNs, and web protection for added security.

Of all my choices, Norton is the best antivirus for protection against Facebook viruses. Its industry-leading 100% malware detection, customizable firewall, top-grade customer support, and support for all major platforms make it the perfect choice. Plus, you can try Norton completely risk-free thanks to its 60-day money-back guarantee.

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Quick Guide: How to Remove a Facebook Messenger Virus

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Eliminate a Facebook Virus From Your Device

You should use the following steps to remove Facebook viruses if you get infected. I’ve picked Windows for this guide since it’s the most common platform where these viruses spread. However, you can also catch it on Android devices, for which you’ll need a high-end Android antivirus to secure your device.

Step 1: Reset Your Browser Settings

To remove all Facebook viruses, you should start by resetting your browser to its default values. Doing this will remove malicious extensions that the viruses may have installed.

Start by accessing your browser’s settings by clicking the three dots at the top-right and clicking the Settings option.

Find the Reset and cleanup button on the left-hand side of the settings menu and click on it.

Select the option that restores settings to defaults and confirm by clicking Reset settings when the dialog box pops up.

Step 2: Uninstall Any Suspicious Applications

The next step is to uninstall any suspicious applications you see on your system. To do this, access the Add or remove programs menu by searching for it in the Start menu and clicking on the first result.

Look through your installed applications list to find any suspicious programs that shouldn’t be there. You can also use the search bar to look for specific apps to uninstall. When you find an app that shouldn’t be on your system, click Uninstall and confirm to remove it from your computer.

After confirming, wait for the uninstaller to launch and remove the app from your system. Repeat this process for all the suspicious applications in your PC’s Apps & features menu.

Step 3: Change Your Facebook Password

The next step is changing your Facebook password. Log into your Facebook account, open the settings menu, and click on Password and security on the left-hand side to open the Accounts Center.

Click on Password and security once again in the Accounts Center to bring up a list of settings related to your password.

In the list of settings, click on Change password, select your account, enter your previous password, and enter your new password.

Step 4: Remove Suspicious Websites and Apps From Your Facebook Account

It’s also crucial to remove any suspicious apps you’ve linked to your Facebook account, so you don’t give away your private data. Open your Facebook settings and click on Apps and Websites near the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Find any apps or websites that you don’t recognize and click on the Remove button next to them.

Confirm the option that asks whether you want to delete the posts made by an app and click on Confirm once again to proceed.

Step 5: Scan Your System With a Top Antivirus

You should also scan your system with an effective antivirus to ensure there’s no leftover malware. I suggest you use Norton to scan your system because it eliminates all viruses thanks to its 100% malware detection via scans.

Open Norton, click the drop-down menu next to Device Security and click on Scan Options to see its list of available scans.

Choose Full Scan from Norton’s available scans and click on Go to scan your whole system for malware.

After running the full scan, select the detected threats, remove/quarantine them, and click on Finish to complete the scan.

That’s it! The above steps will remove all Facebook virus infections and help secure your system against them in the future.

The Best Antiviruses to Eliminate Facebook Viruses (Tested in 2024)

1. Norton — Best Overall Antivirus With 100% Malware Detection to Remove All Facebook Viruses

Key Features:

I found Norton to be the best overall antivirus for removing Facebook viruses. Besides removing all viruses and preventing further infections with its flawless malware detection, Norton provides multiple features for added security. Also, its password manager creates strong passwords you can use for Facebook and other websites, and its web protection secures you against malicious links.

In my tests, Norton effectively detected and removed all Facebook viruses and other malware. It offers Quick, Full, and Custom scans with a 100% malware detection rate. Also, its scans are fast, with the Quick Scan taking only 2 minutes and the Full Scan taking under 20 minutes. I was also impressed with Norton’s flawless 100% detection rate against real-time threats and zero-day malware, which is much better than the 97% industry average.

Norton also includes additional security features for protection against Facebook viruses and other threats. These include the following:

• Firewall — reliable first line of defense against cyber threats that you can easily customize.
• Built-in VPN — secures your online activity with AES 256-bit encryption and keeps you anonymous.
• PC SafeCam — blocks unauthorized access to your computer’s webcam.
• Dark Web Monitoring — informs you if any of your credentials are leaked in data breaches.

Another standout Norton feature is its cloud storage with up to 250GB (in the US) of space for your data. Norton’s cloud storage keeps your data on encrypted servers, thus making it perfect for storing all your sensitive files or documents.

I also found that Norton offers best-in-class customer support that’s available 24/7 to help you. Its support includes 24/7 live chat, phone support, and a comprehensive knowledge base. In my tests, I frequently contacted Norton’s live chat for help with issues and always connected to a helpful agent within 1 or 2 minutes. Plus, the knowledge base has all the information needed to resolve common problems.

Norton’s plans are quite affordable, considering its reliable security and impressive feature variety. Starting at just $29.99/year, Norton offers the following options:

• Antivirus Plus — offers 2GB of cloud storage (in the US) and protects 1 device with Norton’s core antivirus features and password manager.
• 360 Standard — protects up to 3 devices and includes Norton’s VPN and Dark Web Monitoring besides the above features.
• 360 Deluxe — has Norton’s Privacy Monitor, parental controls, up to 50GB (in the US) of cloud storage), and protection for up to 5 devices besides all the above features.
• 360 Select — includes Norton’s ID theft protection and everything in the 360 Deluxe plan. Also, this plan lets you protect up to 10 devices simultaneously.

While all of Norton’s plans are worth their price, I suggest you get Norton 360 Deluxe if you want the best overall value. Of course, you can try Norton risk-free, regardless of your plan. It’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee, meaning you have a long time to test all its features. When I requested a refund after my tests, it was approved immediately, and I had my money back in just 5 days.

2. McAfee — Provides a Customizable Firewall That Secures You Against Facebook Viruses and Other Threats

Key Features:

McAfee’s excellent malware detection via scans and in real time makes it effective against Facebook viruses. Also, it offers one of the best firewalls I’ve seen in an antivirus that lets you easily configure its settings to your liking.

During my tests, McAfee eliminated Facebook viruses and all other threats with an impressive 100% malware detection rate. It lets you choose between Quick, Full, and Custom scans that are all highly effective. However, I want to highlight that McAfee’s scans are slower than Norton’s since its Full Scan can take over an hour, while Norton finishes the same scan in under 20 minutes.

You also get other features in McAfee for added security against cyber threats. These features include:

• Password Manager — provides safe storage for passwords and sensitive information.
• Built-in VPN — keeps you anonymous online and secures your traffic with industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption.
• File Shredder — shreds sensitive files multiple times so they’re no longer accessible.

McAfee’s customer support includes 24/7 live chat, phone support, and community forums. Its support isn’t as fast as Norton’s because I had to wait a while before connecting to an agent, but it’s just as helpful. The agents are knowledgeable and provided the help I needed when I contacted them. Also, the community forums let you talk to various experts and get help with specific issues.

You can choose from multiple affordable price plans if you get McAfee. Starting at just $39.99/year, it includes the following options:

• Total Protection Plus — protects up to 5 devices with McAfee’s antivirus features, firewall, password manager, VPN, web protection, file shredder, and ID monitoring.
• McAfee+ Premium — provides McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup scans, all the features in Total Protection Plus, and protects 10 devices.
• McAfee+ Advanced — offers McAfee’s full-service Personal Data Cleanup, monthly credit reports, $1M ID theft coverage, and lost wallet protection besides the above features.
• McAfee+ Ultimate — includes everything in Advanced and offers McAfee’s $25k ransomware coverage, credit lock, and daily credit reports.

Of the available options, I suggest you get McAfee Total Protection Plus if you want the best value. It includes the necessary security features and protects up to 5 devices. Also, you can try McAfee risk-free regardless of your plan thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. I had my money back in 7 days after McAfee’s customer support confirmed my refund.

3. TotalAV — Helps Optimize Device Performance While Securing Your System Against Facebook Viruses

Key Features:

I found that TotalAV is an excellent antivirus for optimizing your system while protecting it against Facebook viruses. It includes multiple scans that detect all the malware on your system and its real-time security safeguards against most cyber threats. Also, its optimization tools provide noticeable improvements in system performance.

TotalAV’s virus scans delivered impressive results throughout my testing. Its Quick, Custom, and Full System scans detected 100% of malware on my system, including all Facebook viruses. Also, TotalAV’s real-time security blocks 99% of zero-day malware, which falls behind Norton’s 100% detection rate but is better than the 97% industry average.

Among this security app’s best features is the Smart Scan, its main optimization tool. TotalAV’s Smart Scan scans your system and finds multiple ways to enhance its performance. When I tested it, the Smart Scan helped free up over 2GB of space, removed multiple unnecessary cookies and trackers, and made other useful improvements.

You’ll also get other useful security features with TotalAV, including the following:

• Built-in VPN — keeps you anonymous online and secures your activity using top-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
• WebShield — protects you from malicious websites and links that could infect your system.
• Password Vault — lets you store your credentials and generate secure passwords for Facebook accounts.

TotalAV starts at just $19.00/year and currently offers the following plans:

• Antivirus Pro — offers TotalAV’s core antivirus features, firewall, web protection, and optimization tools for up to 3 devices.
• Internet Security — protects up to 5 devices, has TotalAV’s Safe Browsing VPN, and all the features in Antivirus Pro.
• Total Security — has TotalAV’s Adblock, password manager, and all of Internet Security’s features. Also, this plan protects up to 6 devices.

While all the plans are well-priced, I consider TotalAV Internet Security the best value for money. It includes all the app’s core security features, built-in VPN, and protection for multiple devices. Plus, you can try TotalAV risk-free regardless of your plan as it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. iolo — Intuitive Antivirus That’s Easy to Use and Secures Windows Devices Against Facebook Viruses

Key Features:

iolo effectively secures Windows devices against Facebook viruses and is easy to use. It has a highly intuitive app with all the features easily available from the left-hand side. Even beginners should have no trouble using iolo to secure their devices against cyber threats.

iolo’s malware scans remained impressive throughout all my tests. When I tested its scans, iolo’s Quick, Full System, and Custom scans detected 100% of the malware on my system, including Facebook viruses. Unfortunately, iolo’s scans are much slower than those in top antiviruses like Norton. For instance, iolo’s Full System Scan takes over an hour to complete, while Norton’s Full Scan takes 20 minutes on the same system.

Besides its reliable virus scans, iolo includes other useful security and optimization features like the following:

• Custom Privacy — lets you adjust various privacy settings and choose what information your apps have access to.
• Password Manager — lets you safely store your passwords, use them online, and generate new ones.
• Deepclean — thoroughly scans your system and helps optimize its overall performance.

I also found that iolo offers multiple affordable price plans. Its plans start at just $23.99/year and include the following options:

• Malware Killer — offers iolo’s in-demand malware detection and removal features.
• System Shield — has iolo’s complete suite of antivirus features, including its real-time security.
• System Mechanic — provides iolo’s optimization tools, security updates, and network protection.
• System Mechanic Pro — has everything in System Mechanic and includes iolo’s System Shield, Drive Scrubber, and Search and Recover.
• System Mechanic Ultimate Defense — includes antivirus, password manager, and full suite of optimization tools.

While each plan is worth the price, I consider iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense the best choice. It has all the vital security features, optimization tools, and iolo’s password manager. Whichever plan you choose, you can try iolo risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I had my money back just 3 days after I requested my refund via email.

5. Bitdefender — Provides a Variety of Features to Protect You Against Facebook Viruses and All Other Threats

Key Features:

Bitdefender’s impressive malware detection scores and feature variety make it excellent for defense against Facebook viruses. Its scans and real-time protection safeguard your system against malware, while the features like web protection and VPN provide additional layers of security. I was especially impressed to see how effectively Bitdefender stops phishing attacks commonly spread through malicious links on Facebook.

In all my tests, Bitdefender’s malware scans delivered impressive results. Its scans had a 100% malware detection rate and currently include Quick, Full System, Vulnerability, Rescue Environment, and Custom scan options. Bitdefender also detects and blocks 99.7% of real-time malware — a near-flawless score. However, top choices like Norton outperform it with a 100% real-time malware detection rate.

Of course, you’ll get other useful features in Bitdefender, like the following:

• Built-in VPN — uses AES 256-bit encryption to secure your online activity.
• Password Manager — provides safety for all your stored logins and credentials.
• Firewall — the easily customizable first line of defense against malware.

Considering its security and features, I was impressed with how well-priced Bitdefender is. It offers the following plans, starting at just $24.99/year:

• Antivirus Plus — the basic plan that protects 1 device with Bitdefender’s core antivirus (Windows only).
• Internet Security — has Bitdefender’s antivirus, Privacy Firewall, and parental controls for up to 3 devices.
• Total Security — includes everything in Internet Security, Bitdefender’s optimization tools, 200MB/day VPN, and protection for up to 5 devices (All platforms).
• Premium Security — provides Bitdefender’s password manager, unlimited VPN, everything in Total Security, and protection for 10 devices.
• Ultimate Security — offers everything in Premium Security and includes Bitdefender’s ID monitoring.

Bitdefender’s plans are all worthwhile, but I found Bitdefender Total Security to be the best value. This plan offers the app’s main antivirus features, VPN, and protection for up to 5 devices on all major platforms. Also, you can try Bitdefender risk-free no matter which plan you choose, as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can claim a refund via email, and I had my money back within 5 days of requesting my refund.

Quick Comparison Table: 2024’s Best Antiviruses for Removing Facebook Messenger Viruses

How I Tested and Ranked the Best Programs and Apps for Eliminating Facebook Viruses

I used the following criteria to evaluate which apps are the best at securing your devices against Facebook viruses:

• Malware detection rate — I picked security apps with perfect malware detection via scans to remove Facebook viruses.
• Real-time security — I chose antiviruses with effective real-time security so they can safeguard you against Facebook viruses in real time.
• Web protection — I found apps with reliable web protection to keep you from downloading Facebook viruses and other malware.
• Ease of use — I focused on antiviruses with intuitive apps that anyone can easily use.
• Value for money — I picked security apps with affordable price plans.
• Money-back guarantee — I only selected antiviruses with money-back guarantees so you can try them risk-free.

Tips for Preventing Further Facebook Messenger Virus Infections

Use a Top Antivirus

An effective antivirus protects your devices from Facebook viruses and other malware. Antivirus programs scan your computer for malware and can remove threats before they can cause harm. They can also remove malware if you’re already infected. Of course, you should always keep your antivirus updated with the latest virus definitions to detect the most recent threats.

Be Cautious of Unknown or Suspicious Links

Facebook viruses can spread through links in messages or posts that appear to be from a friend. These links lead to malicious websites or downloads that can infect your computer. To avoid this, never click on links if you don’t know where they will take you, even if it’s from a friend.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds an extra layer of security to your Facebook account. After enabling this feature, you must enter a code sent to your phone or email with your password to log in from a new device. This prevents unauthorized access even if someone has your password. Enable 2FA by opening the Password & Security menu, selecting two-factor authentication, and choosing an authentication app or text message as your preferred method.

Adjust Your Facebook Privacy Settings

Adjusting your Facebook privacy settings can help improve overall security. Review and adjust your privacy settings regularly to ensure you only share information with the people you want to. Consider setting your account to “Friends Only” or “Private” to limit the information that strangers can access so you’re less of a target.

Don’t Use Public WiFi Without a VPN

Public WiFi networks usually aren’t secure, meaning anyone on the network could access your data. It’s best to avoid using public WiFi without a VPN to protect your information. The best antiviruses offer VPNs to encrypt your traffic and keep you anonymous, thus making it harder for hackers to intercept your data.

Use Strong Passwords

Using strong passwords is an effective way to improve overall security. Be sure to choose a password that is difficult to guess and includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. However, since these stronger passwords are hard to remember, I suggest you use a top password manager like Dashlane to keep track of all your passwords.

Regularly Review Your Facebook Activity

Regularly reviewing your Facebook activity can help you spot any suspicious activity on your account. Check your recent logins and activity to ensure everything is familiar to you. Change your password if you see any posts or messages you didn’t make or notice any other suspicious activity. To view your activity, open the Privacy menu in your Facebook settings and find it under the “Your Activity” section.

FAQs on Facebook Messenger Viruses and Their Removal

Eliminate Any Facebook Messenger Virus With the Best Antivirus Software

You should be especially careful while using Facebook to avoid getting infected. Messages or posts from your friends can be malicious links redirecting you to websites that infect your system.

To steer clear of Facebook virus infections, it’s advisable to steer away from dubious links, activate two-factor authentication on your Facebook account, and consistently check your activity. Of course, you should also install reliable antivirus on your system to ensure you have airtight security. All the security apps listed above provide solid protection, but I consider Norton the best choice.

Norton provides unbreakable security thanks to its flawless malware detection, firewall, web protection, VPN, and other features. Best of all, you can try Norton risk-free as it’s backed by a lengthy 60-day money-back guarantee.

Summary — Best Software in 2024 To Get Rid of Facebook Viruses

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$29.99 / year Save 58%

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2.

9.0

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$39.99 / year Save 69%

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3.

8.2

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$19.00 / year Save 80%

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4.

7.0

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$23.99 / year Save 70%

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5.

8.0

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$24.99 / year Save 59%

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