malware, adware, spyware removal
What is spyware/adware/malware?
Software that monitors your computer activities to varying degrees,
usually for marketing purposes, but may also be used for criminal
activities. It ranges from reasonably benign (e.g. displaying pop-up
windows with adverts related to web sites you are browsing) through to
seriously malevolent (e.g. may collect credit card details or bank
account passwords). Many are capable of reporting this information back
to the author.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a really nasty form of malware that will silently encrypt any data (pictures, documents etc) it can find on all connected drives
and then pop up a request for payment (usually hundreds of pounds, usually in Bitcoin) to get the files back.
Paying may or may not be successful, and could potentially lead to further problems, but the main thing is to
switch the computer off and get help. Although the encryption cannot be broken, in some cases files can be recovered from backups,
cloud or 'hidden' autobackups. The ransomware must be fully removed or you will lose it all again.
How do I know I am infected?
Are you running Microsoft Windows? Then chances are your PC is
infected. It is very common for an Internet
connected MS Windows based computer to have least one variety of malware running on it.
Very often, the first you know is your computer has got so slow that it
is virtually unusable. Your browser home page may
have changed or you may keep getting pop up windows appearing. Some
malware will redirect you to a web page you have not requested, or open multiple windows.
How do I get rid of it?
The first thing you should do is to install, update and run an anti malware application, for example
Spybot Search & Destroy .
You may have to run more than one of these, as some are better at
removing certain malware than others. You must also be very careful not to
download a fake malware removal tool, as these can make matters worse.
This will get rid of most of your
infections, but there are some types of malware out there that can be
very difficult to remove, and need important system files edited by
hand to eradicate completely. This can have serious consequences if it
goes wrong (such as not being able to start Windows) and is best left
to an experienced person.
Why does it keep coming back?
See above - some malware has been written so that it runs from certain
files that cannot be deleted while windows is running. Although you may
be able to remove most of the infection, the computer will become
re-infected next time you switch it on. many have a 'watchdog' that will recreate
the virus file immediately after it is deleted. Frustrating!
How do I avoid getting infected?
Be very wary about installing software downloaded from the Internet
without checking it out first - some software is only free because the
author obtains revenue from the spyware payload it carries. A simple
way to do this is to use a search engine such as
Google - just type the program name and 'malware'
in to the search box and see if anything comes up.
Think before clicking on links in emails - some spyware can be installed in this way.
The golden rule is: If you're not ABSOLUTELY expecting an email from an organisation, it is almost certainly a scam or virus.
Think before you click on a pop-up. Close them using the cross in the top right corner - never click inside the window, as this may activate something nasty...
Consider using an alternative web browser, such as
Firefox or
Opera - these
are much less likely to offer a route for infections, and you may even prefer some of their features.
Keep Windows updated using 'Windows Update' - you'll find it in the start menu on older versions of Windows if it's not already activated.
Make sure you have an up to date firewall in place - or better still, a hardware firewall such as an ADSL modem/router as well.
Be very careful to ensure you download the browser or any apps from a reputable site, preferably the authors, as some sites carry malware laden versions of the software.
For more information, give us a call or email
Chris for an informal chat.