Malware, Viruses,
& other computer problems
Slow computer? Pop-ups?
Crashes? Internet suddenly slow? Your computer probably
is infected with spyware or viruses.
Most of the time when a computer is slow, freezes up a
lot, or has a lot of pop-ups, it's because of malware
and/or viruses. These things are dangerous, many computers
are infected, and many people don't even know they have
them on their computers.
Spyware
Spyware, also known as adware or malware, is everywhere
these days. There are several ways your computer can
become infected. Many free programs, especially file
sharing programs, install malware on your computer or make
your computer vulnerable to spyware-infected files
masquerading as songs, games, or videos. These things can
do all sorts of bad things to your computer, including
making it really slow, making it crash, making your
Internet connection slow, or making programs not work.
Even worse, it can do bad things to you too. It can
install things that monitor your computer activity, steal
your personal information and use that to steal your
identity, and "hijack" your computer and use it to send
out spam or viruses to other people.
ProFix strongly recommend that you use at least one
anti-malware program
(preferably more than one*) and periodically scan your
computer for malware, even if you aren't having any
problems.
*
Note that
although you should never have more than one
anti-virus program (norton, mcafee, avast)
installed on your computer at the same time, it is okay -
recommended, actually - to have more than one anti-malware
program (malwarebytes) on your computer at the same time
(they differ in how they define/identify malware, so each
one often finds things the others missed).
Avoiding/preventing
malware
Nothing
offers 100% protection from spyware, but the best way
to reduce your chances of getting spyware is to be
suspicious of everything and always know what you're
clicking on. Most spyware cannot take hold unless you
activate it in some way by clicking on something. If
you don't know what something is and exactly what it's
going to do, don't click on it. (press alt+f4) Also,
if you're still using an old version of Internet
Explorer (IE), upgrade it. Old versions of IE were
less secure and more prone to threats than newer
versions or other web browsers like Firefox, Chrome,
and Safari.
Beware of fake programs & warnings
There are tons of fake "malware removal" programs out
there that actually are spyware! These
fake
malware removal programs also try to confuse
people by using names that sound like real security
programs (SpywareBlaster is legit but SpyBlast is fake)
and by mimicking the screens of
real
programs. Don't install any program unless you
know for sure that it's legitimate. (just look at the
address bar)
Also, if you see a warning pop up on your screen saying
that your computer is infected, chances are that it's
actually spyware or an attempt to install malware on your
computer. If you ever see something like this, do not
click on anything! Call the
ProFix,
or, if the Help Desk isn't available, turn off your
computer without clicking on anything (save your work
first). With many of these, even if you click on what
looks like the close button, your computer will become
infected.
(press alt
key+f4 key) will close it down.
Viruses
Students connecting their computers to the College
computer network are required to install Microsoft
Security Essentials, which should keep you from getting
most viruses & malware (no product can prevent 100% of
all infections). College-owned computers currently use
McAfee VirusScan Enterprise (NOT good), which is also
available for personally-owned computers, but only
provides protection against viruses, not malware. For
employee-owned computers, you do not need to pay for virus
protection.
ProFix
recommends using Microsoft Security Essentials or another
free product such as
avast!
Free, and very good.
Call
ProFix to get you up and running fast......
Phone:
815-385-1813 or
Cell/Text at 815-403-7180 also email us
at HELP!
McHenry,
Johnsburg, Wonder Lake, Spring Grove, Lakemoor,
Richmond, Genoa City, Twin Lakes WI., McHenry, Lake
County Illinois 60050 60051 Computer repair and Tune-Up,
in McHenry !!