Virus Removal is Tough Business
Computers Comments OffWhether it’s Conflickr or a new fake anti-virus program, it seems like spyware and viruses are inescapable for any computer hooked up to the internet. It’s estimated that the amount spent annually on security software in the US has risen to over $800 million in recent years, but PCs are still getting infected daily. Why aren’t we virus free yet?
The answer lies in the nature of malicious programming. Computer viruses don’t spring up out of the blue, they’re designed by programmers who either have nothing better to do and think it’ll be interesting, or professionals who make money by abusing your computer. Whenever anti-virus companies are told about a new virus, they create a new definition for their anti-virus software to help isolate and remove that virus if it is downloaded onto your PC. Once the new definition is widespread enough that a significant proportion of computers are safe against that virus, a newer one is created by the malicious programmers and the cycle starts again. Almost 2,000 new viruses were identified every day in 2007, and the problem isn’t going away any time soon. This is the reason why you need to allow your anti-virus software to download new virus definitions so often.
Annoyed hackers tired of the quick turnover of “regular” viruses have graduated to attacking your computer’s defences directly: your anti-virus software. Many new viruses include programming that either hides itself specifically from several popular anti-virus programs, stops them from downloading new virus definitions, or shuts them down completely. Even when these new viruses are identified quickly, many PCs will already be infected and the software on the machines won’t be able to remove the virus. In circumstances where one virus shuts down the anti-virus software entirely, other viruses will often infect the machine and can render it inoperable in a couple of hours if not minutes. Still other nasty viruses employ tricks to avoid removal methodologies, and will re-infect a machine after an anti-virus program or a user tries to delete them.
The fight against computer viruses is non-stop, but you can do something to help shield your system. Installing a good anti-virus program and allowing it to update frequently is just the first step, but be wary of fake anti-virus programs you may find online (many of these are viruses themselves). The fake anti-virus programs normally go by the names : Antivirus 2010 Pro, Windows Pro Police, System Guard 2009, Personal Antivirus, Antispyware XP 2009, and many more. You can see a pattern in how they name themselves. Never download anything from a person or website you don’t trust, never open a suspicious email (you don’t always have to open the attachments to become infected), and do not go to websites with a poor reputation. If you take these steps and your personal computer still gets infected, have a trained professional remove the virus for you instead of attempting to remove it yourself. Modern viruses can be awfully difficult to isolate and remove, and it’s very simple to hurt your system accidentally while attempting to remove one.
If you’ve got a slow computer and think you’re infected, call Geek Choice today. Our techs have the tools required for proper virus removal and have access to fast breaking news about new types of viruses and their removal. Geek Choice is countrywide on-site computer repair company.
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