Viruses have become, and will probably always be, a huge problem in the computer industry. VIRUS PROTECTION is essential and we recommend and install Norton™ AntiVirus. However, when a new virus comes out, it takes Norton™ and other antivirus software companies a little time to update their software to catch it. In the meantime, your computer is vulnerable. 

If you suspect you have a virus, TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER IMMEDIATELY! Pull the power plug if you have to. Have Meade Computing check it out for you. We will then discuss our findings with you and let you know upfront what it will cost to clean it up!

Signs your computer has a virus:

• Your computer is telling you it has hundreds of unresolved threats
• Your Internet browser constantly goes to undesirable web pages
• Your friends tell you they are getting email from you with links to Canadian pharmacies
• You constantly get pop-ups while browsing the Internet
• Your computer seems very slow
• Your hard drive light flashes incessantly 

Damage a virus can do:

• Send personal information and credit card numbers to thieves
• Damage your windows operating system beyond repair
• Delete information from your hard drive
• Physically damage your hard drive causing it to fail

We use the term "virus" generically to mean all forms of malicious software. Here are the definitions of Malware and Spyware excerpted from Wikipedia:

Malware, short for malicious software, includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, scareware, and other malicious and unwanted software or programs.

Spyware is a type of malware that collects information about users without their knowledge, such as personal information, but can also interfere with your control of the computer, such as installing additional software, directing Web Browser activity, changing computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet or functionality of other programs. 

How to protect your computer from viruses:

1. Call Meade Computing to have Norton™ AntiVirus installed.
2. Don't open emails from people you don't know. Just delete them.
3. Don't visit websites that aren't owned by reputable companies. If you suspect a website's integrity, GOOGLE it to see if others have had bad experiences with it.
4. Don't fall for "Free". It's best to skeptical of free offers and to assume that they are intended to lure you in so that a virus can attach itself to your computer.
5. BEWARE OF SCAMS: If you get a pop up message saying you have a virus with an offer to fix it for $85.00 (cost may vary), don't fall prey. This is a common scam. Through some website you visited or some email you opened, your computer becomes infected with a virus that this scammer has created. If you buy their "service", they get your money and your credit card information which they sell. Once you realize that your credit card has unauthorized purchases on it and you clean up that mess and get a new card, you think everything is fine. But, they didn't really wipe out the virus; they just made it dormant for a few weeks. Then you will get another message asking for another $85.00. If a person falls prey again, they sell the new credit card information and the cycle repeats. If you have paid such a fee, put the charge into dispute with your credit card company and the amount should be refunded to you along with any foreign transaction fees associated with it.
6. Educate your children about all of these risks.
7. Remember that even your friends can have viruses attached to emails they are sending and even reputable websites can become infected so make sure you have VIRUS PROTECTION in place.

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