If you are like most computer users, you have had to deal with at least one virus infection in your lifetime. The problem seems to happen when you open your web browser and you are suddenly directed to a new search page that you never saw. Or, you might see a pop up telling you have 2000 errors, click here to remove these errors. Of course, you never installed these programs yourself but where did they come from? Well, the exact answer will most likely never be known but in the following, I can give you some ideas of where you might of picked up the bug.

Most virus infections come from overseas and there is no way to track them. What I can say is that you either got it from an infected e-mail or possibly from a bad website. There are tons of websites out there that are infected and if you stray away from the mainstream often, you will eventually find one and get an infected computer.

 

If you are using Outlook, there is a good chance that you eventually will receive an e-mail that is infected. You should never click on links or open attachments unless you are 100% sure what it is and you were expecting it. The safest e-mail system is actually accessing e-mail through the AOL Desktop application. All e-mails are scanned before they reach your desktop. I have never received an infected e-mail through AOL.

 

In addition, you need to be sure Flash is up to date and Java is either uninstalled or set at the highest security setting. If you update your software, be sure you are on the correct website for the software you are updating. We have seen so many calls where the customer went to the wrong website to get the update and received a ton more surprises then they bargained for. For example, if you want to download Firefox, be sure it is coming from the Mozilla website. There are tons of third party locations that offer it as a download and almost all of them mean trouble.

 

Facebook is another place where caution is needed. Be careful where you click. Most operations on Facebook are safe but if somebody else’s account is compromised you could be getting something that your friend never actually sent.

 

Sometimes it comes from free software. In most cases if the software is free, you are going to get more then you bargained for. If the software has a reasonably priced pay version, get the paid version. When you download the product, pay close attention to the download. Be sure you uncheck anything that you do not want as you are doing to install. You can avoid more then 90% of the current Malware infections in this manner.

 

If you find that your system is running sluggish, call us right away. Many customers wait until their system is not manageable to call and it takes a lot more effort to get it cleaned out. Sometimes, the infections are so deep that we cannot clean it at all. So please, call sooner or better yet, get on one of your subscription plans.

 

There are two particularly nasty Trojans that are out there called the FBI virus and a relative of the FBI virus, which is called CryptoLocker. Both of these infections are called ransom ware because they hold your computer hostage. You will be prompted to go to Walgreens and get a Money Pack for several hundred dollars and then put the Money Pack number into the virus software. They use Money Packs because they cannot be traced. Do not give the crooks your money. If you do regular backups and your computer has to be reformatted, you will not be at a complete loss. So back up, back up and back up some more. Be sure you are ready for a disaster.

 

The bottom line is that nobody is immune from a devastating virus. It can happen to anybody. So be careful where you surf, what e-mails you open and what you download and you should be able to dodge many of the bullets that are shot your way. If you notice an issue on your computer, call us right away. Do not wait until your system is inoperable.

Posted By, Ross Deprey