Virus Removal
Threats are just like infections on the human body. Sometimes they are like getting a splinter, where you can just remove the splinter and apply some Neosporin. Other infections are more deeply rooted into your operating system and require a lot more effort to remove them.
Are We Standing On Solid Ground?
Before we check for threats and vulnerabilities we test the hard drive first. Why? We believe that it would be unethical for us to perform the simplest of tasks on your computer if there were reason to believe that a critical component of your computer were going to fail in the near future anyway. In addition to testing your hard drive, we test your memory (RAM) and, in most cases, make a visual inspection of your motherboard. If any of these things are ‘out of whack’, it’s best that you know about it up front as it will effect your decision on what to do with your computer. We are the only service in this area that will do this diagnostics test at absolutely no cost to you.
Full Threat Scan
The next step would be to determine that the hardware, operating system and the software are free of vulnerabilities that could be exploited. A full threat assessment would be preformed to detect malicious software, viruses or defects in the operating system that could leave it open to attack. Should they exist, we’ll create a plan of attack to resolve the issues.
Vulnerable Processors
One of the most overlooked vulnerabilities exist in the central processing unit (CPU). The processor is like the brain of the computer. There are two major manufacturers of processors in the world, and they are Intel and AMD (Advance Micro Devices). Intel announced in January 2020 that every processor manufactured since 1996 have vulnerabilities that could potentially allow criminals to see sensitive information on your computer. Since then, several variants of these vulnerabilities have been discovered and because of that, the Intel processors are generally considered not safe to use for secure purposes. For example, using your credit card to purchase items online with a computer that utilizes an Intel processor would be discouraged.
Intel has struggled with remedies for their processors vulnerabilities as they continue to be discovered and as these patches are applied, the processors performance is negatively affected. Often these patches are difficult to install.
The AMD processor is based on a completely different architecture that the Intel processors and because of that are not subject to their vulnerabilities.
We’ll be glad to look at your computer and help you access and vulnerabilities in your software and hardware at no cost. Should they exist we can advise you on the best course of action to keep your computer safe and secure.
Let’s Keep You Safe!
We want you to be protected. We’ll install and properly configure two programs that will help keep you safe. The first program is Windows Defender, a free anti-virus / anti-spyware program that does everything on its own. It will update itself with the latest virus definitions every day. It’s also constantly monitoring what’s going on in your operating system, ready to leap into action whenever something dangerous is about to happen.
While we previously recommended programs entitled “Avast” and “MalwareBytes”, we believe that recent improvements with Windows Defender offers the same, if not better, protection. Additionally, we found that Avast and MalwareBytes prompts to purchase additional software had become too intrusive. Windows Defender will not prompt you to make a purchase.
Security Updates
Microsoft is constantly discovering vulnerabilities in their Windows 11 operating system and on a weekly basis issues updates to mitigate them. If configured properly, Windows 11 should be downloading and installing these important updates automatically. In some cases, these settings may have been accidently changed or not set correctly. As a result, these dangerous weaknesses (left unpatched) could allow hackers to intercept seemingly secure communications.
We offer free security assessments of your computer and help you determine if there are any vulnerabilities that are putting you at risk.
Ransomware
Although anti-virus software (like Windows Defender) and anti-malware software (like Malwarebytes) offer excellent protection, truth be told there is absolutely nothing we can do to make your computer invincible. Ransomware is one of the worst threats faced today because of its high consequences. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to your computer until a sum of money is paid to the criminal who designed and deployed it.
One way that we mitigate this threat is to plan for the worst. Let’s say that you no longer have access to your valuable documents, pictures and other information on your computer. If you had everything backed up, you wouldn’t have to pay up to the criminal. We could just wipe the slate clean and start over again.
We can install and properly configure a service that will automatically backup everything on your computer to the “cloud”. Then if the worst happens, such as a ransomware attack or something more destructive like theft or a fire, you’re covered.
We Guarantee It!
We are the only repair service in Owensboro with a 100% guarantee. If you are not absolutely satisfied with any part of our work, we make it right at no additional cost to you, period. In addition to that, if you have any questions or problems, you just call our cell phone number. You’ll get Computer Dave or one of our knowledgeable technicians, not a call center or a robot. We even have the ability to connect our two systems together over the Internet should you need us.
