Issue 43.14
A majority of the house calls and even many of the business service calls I perform lately involve removing programs that are slowing down or even destroying people’s access to their computers. These programs are called mal-ware (short for malicious software) and they tie up resources, make the computer work harder than it should or even destroy other programs or files. They run the gamut from tracking programs (that attempt to report what you do on your computer to others) to hi-jackers (which take over your ability to open certain programs or visit websites and redirect your efforts where they want you to go) and also include viruses that are designed to disrupt or destroy your files or operating system.
I am not aware of anyone that installs these programs on their computer intentionally. So, how do they get in there? Some are allowed in when you visit “poisoned” web sites or open infected emails. These usually invite you in by offering something free that you would usually have to pay for. One famous poisoned site offered nude pictures of a famous tennis star and immediately crashed your computer if you took the bait.
More commonly, the doorway for these programs is opened when you install a program, toolbar or app that you think you want or that a pop up add convinces you will speed up your computer or solve problems that you are told you have (even though you probably don’t). For example, many people have had a pop up tell them that they have 5,427 (or some other number) errors or problems and they must click “here” to solve the trouble. Clicking may or may not install a program, but it most certainly will open a doorway for other programs that will slow your computer down, hijack your browser or search engine, change your home page and many other nasty actions. They also prop the door open so that other malware can enter and cause even more trouble.
I repeat the old axiom that “If you didn’t ask for it – you don’t want it!” If the window won’t close but just keeps popping up, use the CTRL-ALT-Delete combination of keys, go to the task manager and close the window from there. If the program(s) install before you stop them, try your control panel and the uninstall command, but be cautious that you do not uninstall programs that are critical to your computer operation. I have to repair computers often when people have deleted programs that they didn’t know were required for their computer to run well. If you still have problems, it is probably time to call a computer professional and get help.
I do strongly recommend making sure you have an up-to-date antivirus program and, if that program doesn’t protect you from other types of malware (most don’t) a good malware protector as well. I use and recommend AVG free Antivirus and Malwarebytes anti-malware because they are free and work well. There are many other good ones, but be sure to check out anything you download to be sure it is legit. Also be sure you are downloading from the company site (or the downloader they link you to) and not from a site that will “piggy-back” other programs that you didn’t ask for with your download. Many download sites are the source of the very problem you are trying to correct.
Read carefully before you click to be sure you are only downloading what you want – and remember to always back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 25 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.