Category: Virus Protection

how do i deal with ransomware?

7/7/2017

Ransomware - A type of malware that blocks access to your data and threatens to publish or delete it unless a certain amount of money is paid.

Ransomware is a particularly nasty kind of virus and can easily catch users off guard. It can be installed without your knowledge if you accidentally visit a malicious website, and sometimes it can even come from websites you trust if they have been hacked. Once your computer has been infected, it becomes very difficult to access your data. Usually your computer will be locked behind a screen demanding payment or that you call a specific number to unlock your data. Sometimes these screens will imitate government or legal organizations, informing you that your computer is being used for illegal activity. Whatever the screen says, the message is fake. It's a scam that's engineered to extort money from you.

If your computer becomes infected with ransomware, don't panic. In most cases, your data can still be recovered and your computer can be fixed. In rare cases, the malware can encrypt your data, making it completely inaccessible. In these cases, there is no way to recover any of your old data, but the computer can still be serviced and shouldn't need replacing. If you get infected, the first step you should take is simply to avoid making any calls or payments that are being asked of you. If you have already called, block the number, and if you have already made payment, get in contact with your credit card company to cancel it. Once you're past that stage, bring the computer to us and we will be able to tell you if the data on it can be recovered or not. After that, we can restore your computer to working condition.

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How did my computer get a virus?

6/15/2017

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computer virus
synonyms: worm, Trojan Horse
Noun

A piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.

spyware (spy·ware, ˈspīwer/)
Noun

Software that makes it possible for somebody to obtain information about your computer use by transmitting your data over the internet.

malware (mal·ware, ˈmalwer/)
Noun

Software that is intended to damage or disable computers and computer systems. Comes from the terms "Malicious" and "Software".

false flags
Noun

The term false flag describes covert operations that try to trick you into thinking they're being carried out by someone else, most likely someone you trust.

What can I do to protect myself against unwanted software?
Think of your computer like a garden with lots of things trying to attack it. You need insecticide to protect it from bugs, herbicide to protect it from weeds, and a fence to protect it from animals like deer or rodents. Just like a garden, a computer has to be protected against all kinds of different threats that can come from anywhere.

Why didn't my antivirus protect me?
People often ask how they could possibly have gotten a virus when they have antivirus installed, and the simple answer is that no single antivirus can protect your computer from every threat. Every piece of antivirus software has a different strategy for identifying malicious or unwanted software and removing it from your computer without damaging your system. It takes time for the companies that produce these kinds of software to develop the best strategy to identify and remove viruses, and new viruses are developed every day.

Where do viruses and spyware come from?
People make viruses and find ways to distribute them so that you don't even notice. They do it for all kind of reasons. Some of them are just nerds without girlfriends that are looking for a way to spend their time. Some of them are criminals that are trying to exploit unsuspecting users for money or conduct fraudulent activities. In some cases, it might be governments carrying out secret operations. Whatever the reason, it ends up being like a competitive sport, and last year's defense might not be effective against this year's offense.

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how do i deal with ransomware?

How did my computer get a virus?

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