A Virus got you down?

If your computer has access to the internet and e-mail, then it is only a matter of time before you will get attacked by Malware or Viruses. We get most of our business from cleaning these pesky things, but we believe if we can help you before you have the problem, we may retain you as a customer for future problems you have. Below are a few things we recommend about being safe on the net.

One reason why Malware and Virus Removal is such a big business today is that they are making themselves more and more difficult to differentiate from legitimate software than ever before. A few of the newer viruses are desiquised as ANTIVIRUS and confuse the average user. We have come accross computers that are so infected it is unbelieveable and the customer believe the virus is the ANTIVIRUS! With so many different types of malicious software on the net, it is important to understand the different types and know how to recognize them for what they are.

Spyware: Spyware are hidden programs that advertisers install on your PC without your consent to spy on your purchases, collect information about your searches and browsing, and report this information about you and your online activities to a third party.

Most spyware finds its way onto your computer via file downloads including free programs, music files, and screen savers. While you think you are downloading that cute kitten background and screensaver, you are unknowingly also downloading a spyware program that is reporting your other software and web browsing to possibly more SPYWARE companies.

Malware: Malware represents all programs, viruses, Trojans, and worms that have malicious intent to infiltrate or disrupt a system. Malware is harder to remove and will try to fight back when it is cleaned from your system. In some extreme cases, we need to format the hard disk and start with a fresh re-roll of the operating system.

Simple Steps To Avoiding Malicious Attacks

1. Keep your antivirus up to date. If you don’t antivirus, get some. We recommended Microsoft Security Essentials for most home users. It is free and gets the job done easily.

2. Use and alternative browser to Microsoft Internet Explorer. Most hackers have written code based on vulnerabilities in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome have not been focused on as much by hackers and have ad-ons that protect you from visiting malicious sites. Google Chrome is our favorite as it has the Web-Of-Trust add-on that actively checks sites for malware.

3. Avoid opening emails that don’t quite look right. If they are offering you a FREE 50″ TV!!! It is probably a scam or a chance for them to install malicious software on your machine. If you want a new TV that bad, go and buy one (as flat panels are getting exremely affordable now ).

4. Get a hardware Firewall for your network. This may seem like an obvious thing to most, but half of our clients have problems because of their lack of firewall. Without a firewall you are opened to the world and are asking to get infected.

MyTechs Hawaii offers a complete Virus Removal for $149 and also offers a Preemptive Strike Virus Protection suite for $49 installed. We have many a service call for Viruses and it is one of our specialties. We even offer Remote Virus Removal if your computer can still access the internet during your infection. These are case by case and start at $99. Call us today at 808-235-7828 or click on Contact Us above to shoot us an email.