Hello All,

We at Secure Vizion receive numerous panicked phone calls from people concerned that they have been infected with a virus/malware.  The complaints are typical:

• "I just received a message saying an email I never sent could not be delivered, does this meen I am infected?"
• "My friend received an email from me that I never sent, do I have a virus?"
• "I was just informed I have a dead uncle in Nigeria!  Please pass along to my boss that I quit.  If he needs to reach me I'll be in Kenya!" -click-

None of these are signs of a virus on your PC, unless of course ALL your freinds continually get a message from you *AND* the message header says it really is coming from you.  This is rare.  Further, if you actually believe some stranger in Morocco is willing to blindly transfer millions to you, you have much bigger problems than any computer virus can cause and should seek the help of a qualified professional.   More common signs of malware are:

• Extremely slow performance
• Computer communications outside the country you reside (any connections outside your country of residence warrants detailed scrutiny)
• Pop-up's (if you get one when not on the web, you most certainly have malware)
• Can't change browser homepage, or homepage automatically changed

OK, so your PC is slow, your browser changed to "buyuselessjunkfromme.com", you have constant pop-up's for furry-fun porn and it looks like the Padres might win the World Series.  There is DEFINITELY something wrong.  You probably have a virus on your PC and need to take care of it.  Here’s how to clear it off (use Google to find out how to do anything you don't know):

1. Download and install MalwareBytes 
2. Reboot into safe mode – This is IMPORTANT. If not in safe mode you will never be able to get rid of most viruses.
3. Run MalwareBytes and DELETE anything found.
4. Reboot into normal mode
5. -REPEAT- at least until it runs clean for three consecutive scans. This is because a lot of the little nasty’s out there just reinstall the first time you use your browser.

If you continue to see the same virus time and again during this process…grab another hammer! Try Vipre, Sophos, Microsoft Live One-Care…ect. If multiple “hammers” can’t get rid of it, this means your machine has been infected with a rootkit. This is the point where you give up, say goodbye to your PC, and reload the OS from scratch.  You can save your files to an external drive (non-executable files only), but be sure to do a full scan from a non-infected system before you access any of them!

If you are a business owner, why not let Secure Vizion ensure you never have to deal with this?  Even if an employee does manage to get an infection,  we'll do all the cleanup for you at no charge!

Good Luck!