All businesses experience high and low times, from year to year, month to month, even day to day. At our computer service store, we try to figure out why certain times are busier than others. Mondays are busy, understandable after people discover issues over the weekend that need to be resolved. Thunderstorms knock out power supplies and network cards. Snowbirds return and fill our shelves with work. Christmas passes, and the dads who didn’t get what they asked for come in to buy computers.
Over the holidays, relatives from the cold white north surf on their host’s computers that usually manage just fine without virus protection. Teens bored with conversation ask to update their facebook. Your brother-in-law wants to check his stocks. A cousin needs to get an e-mail about her stepson’s fiance’s new baby. Suddenly there’s a problem with the computer. That may explain why many customers have been seeking remedies for viruses in recent weeks.
For several months now, variations on the “AntiVirus 2008” virus have been causing problems. This virus manifests itself as an XP or Vista feature from your own computer. It uses logos and icons identical to what we are familiar with, and tricks the user into downloading the virus, possibly when attempting to close the window. This virus may even send up a small balloon from the task bar, warning of infection. It appears to be a message from your installed anti-virus, but it is fictitious and indicates that a variation of the AV2008 virus is present.
Recently the virus “Go.Google.com” has become a frequent problem. Go.Google relies on the familiarity of Google to entice unsuspecting Web surfers to its site. When downloaded it corrupts system files and blocks further use of the computer, sometimes completely. It redirects your Web browser to unintended Web sites further corrupting your computer. Both viruses hijack your computer and must be removed before much progress can be made.
For advanced users and computer professionals, there are tools available for download that can remove these viruses. Malwarebytes is a free anti-malware program that has been effective in removing these two viruses. In some cases, we have been able to avoid an operating system reload by using Malwarebytes.
An operating system reload is a more complete fix, but it also wipes out everything a user has added or saved on the system. Nonetheless, if a reload is needed files can be preserved, and available programs may be reinstalled after the reload.
Every computer needs to be protected from viruses and spyware through good anti-virus/anti-spyware software. Updates and scans must be completed on a regular basis.
However, even the best software can’t always protect your computer unless you use safe Internet practices.
Never to click on a link you are not sure of and do not open e-mail from unknown sources. Make this a safe and happy new year with your computer.
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