Whether it's Conflickr or a new fake anti-spyware program, it sort of feels like malicious software and viruses are inescapable for any computer hooked up to the Net. It's estimated that the amount spent annually on security software in the United States has risen to over $800 million in recent years, but computers are still getting infected daily. Why aren't we virus free yet?
The answer lies in the nature of malicious or greedy programmers. 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 fascinating, or pros who make money by abusing your personal 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 share of PCs are safe against that virus, a newer one is created by the nefarious programmers and the cycle starts again. Just about 2,000 new viruses were identified each day in 2007, and the issue isn't going away any time soon. This is why you must 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 PC'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 totally. Even when these new viruses are identified quickly, many PCs will already be infected and the software on the machines will not be able to get rid of the virus. In cases where one virus shuts down the anti-virus software completely, other viruses will often infect the machine and can render it inoperable in a matter of hours if not minutes. Still other nasty viruses employ tricks to avoid removal techniques, and will re-infect a machine after an anti-virus program or a user makes an attempt to delete them.
The struggle against computer viruses is non-stop, but you can do something to help protect your system. Installing a good anti-virus program and permitting it to update often is just the first step, but beware of fake anti-virus programs you'll 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 lots more. You can see a pattern in how they name themselves. Never download anything from an individual or internet site you don't trust, never open a suspicious email (you do not always have to open the attachments to get infected), and don't 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 trying to remove it yourself. Modern viruses can be awfully difficult to isolate and remove, and it's very easy to break your system accidentally while attempting to remove one.
If you've got a slow computer and think you are infected, call Geek Choice today. Our techs have the tools needed for proper virus removal and have access to fast breaking stories about new types of viruses and their removal. Geek Choice is a national on-site PC service and repair company. If your PC has any of the following issues, we can help : Slow Computer, Virus or Spyware, Computer startup problems, Printer not printing, Not connecting to the Internet, Scanner not working, or the "blue screen of death". We also offer other tech support services, including: New pc setup, Data Backup or Recovery, Wireless network setup, Business Network Firewall setup, Upgrading memory, cpu, hard drives, video cards, and more. You can pick up the telephone at any time and call us at 1-800-GEEK HELP (433-5435).
The answer lies in the nature of malicious or greedy programmers. 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 fascinating, or pros who make money by abusing your personal 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 share of PCs are safe against that virus, a newer one is created by the nefarious programmers and the cycle starts again. Just about 2,000 new viruses were identified each day in 2007, and the issue isn't going away any time soon. This is why you must 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 PC'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 totally. Even when these new viruses are identified quickly, many PCs will already be infected and the software on the machines will not be able to get rid of the virus. In cases where one virus shuts down the anti-virus software completely, other viruses will often infect the machine and can render it inoperable in a matter of hours if not minutes. Still other nasty viruses employ tricks to avoid removal techniques, and will re-infect a machine after an anti-virus program or a user makes an attempt to delete them.
The struggle against computer viruses is non-stop, but you can do something to help protect your system. Installing a good anti-virus program and permitting it to update often is just the first step, but beware of fake anti-virus programs you'll 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 lots more. You can see a pattern in how they name themselves. Never download anything from an individual or internet site you don't trust, never open a suspicious email (you do not always have to open the attachments to get infected), and don't 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 trying to remove it yourself. Modern viruses can be awfully difficult to isolate and remove, and it's very easy to break your system accidentally while attempting to remove one.
If you've got a slow computer and think you are infected, call Geek Choice today. Our techs have the tools needed for proper virus removal and have access to fast breaking stories about new types of viruses and their removal. Geek Choice is a national on-site PC service and repair company. If your PC has any of the following issues, we can help : Slow Computer, Virus or Spyware, Computer startup problems, Printer not printing, Not connecting to the Internet, Scanner not working, or the "blue screen of death". We also offer other tech support services, including: New pc setup, Data Backup or Recovery, Wireless network setup, Business Network Firewall setup, Upgrading memory, cpu, hard drives, video cards, and more. You can pick up the telephone at any time and call us at 1-800-GEEK HELP (433-5435).
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