Tag: spyware removal

A Deeper Look Into How Computer Viruses Affect Us

Through the course of working with technology and using the internet most of us have had an encounter with a computer virus.  Most systems use anti-virus software, a program that can help to eliminate common computer viruses from invading your computer system as well as prevent common symptoms that occur when a virus is attacking your computer.   Often times when a computer is infected it is because a new virus has been created to override the anti-virus prevention allowing the virus to infiltrate your computer system and network.

Computer viruses can attack your system in several different ways.  One way to get a virus is to download it from an email.  A virus can disguise itself in a funny image attachment, a greeting card or an audio video file.  Don’t open any type of email that looks suspicious even if the email is from somewhere or someone you are familiar with.  If you are unsure just don’t open it as it may just be a computer virus sent from an infected network that their computer is connected to.  This is true of instant messaging programs as well.  When opening outside materials use caution.

Another way a virus can attack your computer is through downloads off of the internet.  Coupon bars, illicit software or files and programs that you have downloaded can all potentially contain a virus.  When downloading anything off of the internet know the source from which the download is coming from.  If you need to download software or a program to run something on the system go directly to the site to start the download.  Many pop ups with downloads for the software will pop up all over your computer.  It will be impossible for you to tell whether one is infected or not before it is too late and your system has become infected.  The best way to avoid this is to go straight to the site to access the download.

Removable media may also become infected if the media is used on a computer that is infected.  Use precautions when using the same media disk between public computers and your private system.

In order to minimize the risk of infecting your computer it is important that you take precautions when opening emails, downloading software and using removable media.  It is also crucial that you update the anti-virus protection on your computer system regularly to keep newer viruses from being able to creep in and infect your system.  If at any time you find your computer is acting differently turn the machine off and take it in to a local computer repair shop for a virus removal and tune up.  Turning the machine off immediately helps to prevent the virus from spreading throughout your machine.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

 

Computer Virus Removal Done Right The First Time

When you own and operate a computer that is connected to the internet you are almost guaranteed at some point to download a virus.  Computer malware and viruses can be incredibly harmful when they infect your PC.  Not only do they slow your computer down but they also pose a risk to your computers secure data and personal information that is stored on the hard drive.  Computer viruses and malware can often be incredibly tricky to completely remove especially if the virus is one of the more aggressive, nasty ones.  New viruses are introduced into the viral world every day; ransomware being the latest in computer viruses to hit the internet.

Ransomware is an incredibly nasty virus taking the online community by storm.  This virus spreads quickly and is incredibly difficult to remove and the malware often locks you out of using your computer until you pay the ransom. Even professional computer virus removal companies are having to learn new ways to exterminate ransomware from personal computers.  Often times the ransom is as expensive as purchasing a new computer.  The moral being that it is important to know exactly what you are downloading and to be sure of the source you are downloading it from.

There are a few different ways in which computer viruses that have infected your personal computer can be removed.  PC repair specialists have tools to remove viruses, to ensure all the computer viruses are gone and to install anti-virus protection to avoid future virus infections.  The two main methods of removing viruses are running scans and manual removal of computer viruses.  Some companies offer online tools for removing viruses.  Before giving personal information to any company selling online virus tools it is important to do your homework.

To be safe when it comes to computer virus removal it is best to take your computer in to a certified technician that has knowledge of the different viruses that are infection computers.  They also have all the tools right at their fingertips to properly remove any and all computer infections.  Most computer repair stores can remove the viruses infecting your computer in a manner of a few days.  To do a complete job they will run a number of scans until the computer comes back clean a number of times.  They will also look into the files in your computer to find and files that look suspicious.  Once this is complete they will often complete the virus removal with a proper computer tune up and installation of anti-virus protection.

You can keep your computer clean and virus free using discretion when downloading software and online programs. If something looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true don’t click on the link.  The minute the link is clicked you have given the virus free rein to your personal information and computers hard drive.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Computer Virus And Adware Infestation Removal Techniques

When your computer is infected by a virus or other malware there can be huge security risk to the data stored within your computer including a lot of personal information.  It can also have extreme effects on the performance of your computer and hardware as well as the fact that is can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.  Computer viruses are difficult to get rid of and virus removal on computers is incredibly tricky and should be left up to computer repair specialist.  If you have a nasty computer virus infecting your computer here are some proven ways to save your computer.

The first step in any and all virus removal techniques is to backup all of the data on your computer.  This should happen before the virus removal process starts.  This will help to make sure that the data is backed up and that anything of value will not be lost if in fact the computer needs to be reformatted.  This will allow you and your business to get up and running without a lot of time invested.

If you are trying to remove the virus on your own without computer help or a virus removal technician the next step is to check for outside factors that could be slowing down your computer and giving it the same effect that would occur if it is in fact infected with a computer virus.   Some issue that could affect your computer if indeed is not a computer virus would be issues with memory, storage, adware and of course any number of issues.  Hardware and failing hard drives could also slow down a computer and corrupt the files on the computer giving the same effect as a computer virus would.

Having anti-virus protection installed is super important when it comes to protecting your computer and eliminating computer viruses.  When one does slip through however there are a number of things to do to remove the threat from your computer. There are a number of free and paid versions of anti-virus computer protection that can be installed on your computer to keep it out of harm’s way.  Consider options such as Microsoft Security Essentials, Kaspersky and BitDefender.

You will also download a number of anti-malware programs that will allow you to scan your computer to eliminate any potential threats  These programs pick up things that anti-virus protection do not always catch.  Consider Malwarebytes Anti Malware as well as Adwcleaner and Spybot S&D.  Having and installing a variety of anti-malware programs will allow you to eliminate hazardous programs, tool bars, down loads and so much more before you install them on to your hard drive.

If the virus is affecting your ability to download these programs then you will need to use a USB card to install them.  The problem is that most serious infections have already overtaken your computer and need professional computer virus removal.  Once you have done this and the virus is removed then having these programs and using them regularly will keep your computer free of viruses.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Protecting Your Computer From Dreaded Computer Viruses

When it comes to your Windows 7 computer it is important to protect yourself from viruses and other threats that can harm your computer and its operating system.  This isn’t difficult if two requirements are met; you are diligent and you have some idea what to look for. Below is a list, all though not all inclusive, substantial in creating an environment free of computer viruses.

First things first, when you purchase a new computer it is important that you should have antivirus software installed correctly.  Keeping the antivirus software up to date will allow your computer to keep defending off viruses that will try to penetrate your email, operating system and computer files. New viruses will continue to appear every day.  Set your computer up so that it is keeping your antivirus updating automatically everyday to prevent even the newest of viruses from getting into your system.

One of the most common ways that people end up with an infected computer is through email attachments.  Viruses are easily attached to email messages.  As soon as the email is opened the virus will start to spread throughout your computer.  When it comes to email attachments the rule of thumb is to use caution and only open attachments that you are expecting.  Emails can come from friends with attachments that you weren’t expecting.  Before opening the attachment, contact the sender to see if they actually sent something that you need to see.

Not only is important that you keep your antivirus protection up to date it is also significant that your Microsoft operating system is updated regularly as well.  Microsoft will update your Windows OS regularly with updated security releases. It is imperative that you allow Windows security by turning on the automatic updating option and that it runs regularly.

You can also add on a Windows firewall that will keep you alerted to any activity that is suspicious. If a virus, worm or hacker attempts to infiltrate your system it will help block it.  If a virus, worm or hacker does get in a firewall should help protect the operating system from having harmful programs from being downloaded.

Turn on your browsers privacy settings.  This will prevent websites from using your private browsing information and prevent fraud and theft of identify.

Personal computer owners should also use a pop-up blocker along with their browser protection.  Turning off pop-up windows will help to create safer browsing as although pop-ups are usually advertisements some of them can be wicked and filled with code that is not safe.  Pop-up blockers eliminate the windows from appearing all together.

These steps will all help to eliminate the possibility of a computer infection.  Even if you apply each of these tips there is still a chance that a virus will slip through and your computer will become infected.  If you suspect that a computer virus has infected your PC you can take the machine into any local computer repair store and they will run scans to see if the computer is actually infected.  If it is they will remove the virus from the computer and update your virus protection and get Window updates running regularly.

Computers Plus Service provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.