Why now?

Recently there has been a rash of infections which not only compromise the system but leave anti-virus programs with the task of repeatedly removing the same infection. Whether this surge of infections is related to user behavior or a concerted effort by developers of those viruses we can’t say, but either way it spells bad news for computer systems everywhere. In an effort to continue educating users on protecting themselves we are offering some information about these ‘repeat offenders’.

What now?

If you’ve seen your anti-virus program repeatedly remove or clean the same virus over and over again then there is a good chance your system is compromised more than is immediately noticeable and the removal process needs to be more in depth. There are some things to consider if you experience repeated removal by your anti-virus program.

1. Is my anti-virus software working?

First, the removal process is working but infections plant other files on your system which re-initiate the infection after removal, that means it can be removed an infinite amount of times but will reinfect the system an equal amount of times.

1. System hijacked?

Second, behind the scenes, infections are not just ruining system configurations they are deliberately undermining system security in order to send data from your computer to somewhere else on the web. Meaning, things like passwords or banking statements which may be stored on your system can be transmitted to someone else.

1. Remove, Remove, Remove Again

Lastly, sometimes a thorough in-depth cleaning doesn’t do the trick. There are times when more than one removal process needs to be performed in order to fully eradicate the infections. That process ultimately involves software and manual (human interaction) removal procedures.

Conclusion

Infections often cause panic in users, as they should, but the key is to act quickly. The longer an infection is allowed to occupy a system, the greater the chance for long term and potentially disastrous results. If you’re experiencing symptoms of repeated removal of the same infection by your anti-virus program or browsers taking you to wrong pages or not working at all, then it’s time to get some help and remove the infections once and for all.

Need help? We can remove your infections online, read more, signup or contact us to get started.

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The post Anti-virus Letdown first appeared on GeekITDown Computer Services & Technology Solutions.

Computer Repair Technicians are often asked about protection from infections. Clients want recommendations on protection and prevention software that will ensure they are never infected again. Computer Repair Specialists engage in thorough analysis of a system and carefully detail each infection in order to develop a proper cleanup method, but they cannot guarantee the system will remain uninfected indefinitely. One of the most common questions a Computer Repair Specialist is asked after disinfecting a system is, ‘Will this prevent my system from getting infected again?’. If the specialist is worth his salt he will give an educated response with details explaining his answer. The short answer to that question is no. No matter what software or protection is used, they will not prevent your system from becoming infected again.

Prevention is the most important and probably the most misunderstood in this three step process. The only true method of prevention is better habits. Users need to use good judgment and have ‘security first’ in mind when using their computers. Better habits can mean a great number of things but two very simple examples are, users need to abstain from downloading files or software from an untrusted source and be mindful of unsolicited emails with attachments. Those examples are becoming common knowledge but there is much more involved when it comes to online security. Today’s users need to familiarize themselves with the latest threats and be aware of potential security flaws in the programs they use. Users may find it a daunting task and may need to initially seek guidance from a professional Computer Specialist. When better online habits are utilized security software becomes a second line of defense rather than the only source of protection.

Detection is the second step and is almost entirely managed by security software. This is where the money spent on security software is often earned. Security software, whether it be virus detection, robust security suite or some other form of protection is first and foremost an infection detector. The infections that run rampant throughout the internet are gathered into databases and security software then checks against those database. Without those database, security software hasn’t a clue what to scan for and therein lies the problem with security software being used as a prevention tool. Most security software programs do a decent job of detecting infections but as with all computer software, there is the human factor. Security software needs to be updated and operate regularly for users to get the most from it. Updates are crucial to maintaining up-to-date database and routine scans are necessary in order to catch infections early. In the end it is still up to the user to ensure updates and scans are performed regularly.

Finally, there is the cleanup step. Cleanup can be very difficult depending on the infection(s). Security software will usually offer a cleanup option which can be useful if the infections are caught early. Certain infections may appear to be cleaned by the software but actually remain on the system, hidden and unseen. Others will multiply themselves or cause additional problems that allow more infections to enter the system. Advanced cleanup of those infections will require a Computer Specialist. Cleanup is the final step but it is also the last resort. With better habits regarding Prevention and early Detection from quality software it’s possible that advanced cleanup will never be an issue.

If you’d like to learn more about GeekITDown ‘Prevention, Detection, Cleanup’ philosophy and how to use it to your advantage, please Contact Us and visit our Virus and Spyware Removal Services page for help removing your current infections.

The post Prevention, Detection, Cleanup first appeared on GeekITDown Computer Services & Technology Solutions.