Remote PC Support Blog

Fake spyware programs, where do they come from and how do I prevent them?
There are many people out there trying to con novice users into downloading and/or purchasing a piece of software. They scare people with misleading and downright false statements about an infection or a security breach. These are usually a popup ad that can look legitimate to many.  You’ll see flashing red bugs and big blinking warnings, with words like or “you are infected! Click here now to clean” They offer a user what appears to be an easy way to take care of the problem, right there and then.

But beware! By following a link to download their software, you are in essence opening the door to not the cure for the infection, but the infection itself.  

People assume warnings like this are legitimate and do not want to take the risk of having their identity stolen, or whatever the popup has threatened. So they click, and quickly.
But things have gotten worse. Even some saavy computer users have found themselves with a copy of fake Antivirus 2009 or similar. All it takes is a flash drive that you plugged in to an infected computer. The program copies itself to every drive on that system. And what do you think happens when they plug that into another computer? They are passing it on, and on.

The best policy is to have a trusted anti-virus program you choose yourself, after reading reviews posted by other users, or to take advice from a your trusted computer support person. And remember what software you have, you'll know if you recognize it.You'll know that SuperNeatoProtectorGuardian 2009 isn't supposed to be there. Know when you’re being conned! 

Computer users have grown accustomed to the barrage of programs who find it necessary to update themselves on what seems like a daily basis. You see, the internet has in one sense made computer programmers lazy. The software may be more complicated than ever, but doesn’t seem to go through the rigorous testing it once did. It’s like they just think, “it’s ok if there's a few 100 bugs left to iron, let’s just release the software and send an update later”. Why not use the world as your testers, instead of hire your own?

A good rule of thumb on updating is: If you recognize the software, it’s probably ok to update. Will it melt down or explode if you don’t do the update right away? Not likely. You could probably ignore it forever and be fine. Things like the Google toolbar, your mouse and keyboard, or the windows installer are good examples of unneeded updates. The “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix” cliché will work nicely here. That being said, some updates are critical, especially the Microsoft ones. But even many those affect just a minute portion of Windows users.

One thing we do here at Delta is turn the updaters you don’t really need, OFF! There is no reason why 14 updates need to load when you boot up your computer. It takes away memory, space, and your time waiting!

Conficker had started to wake up and is downloading malicious software on to infected computers. It has been a mystery, up until now, as to how the virus writers would benefit from their creation. Was it for fame, to attack, or was it just a big Aprils Fools joke? Now we know that it's real purpose was to make money and lots of it.

The malicious software that is being downloaded consists of malware that uses your computer to send out spam emails. This in itself is a huge money generator. It is also downloading Trojans that display fake security alerts stating that your computer is infected and then suggesting you purchase the rogue software called Spyware Protect 2009. Rogue software is big business for malware writers with incredible earning potential. In fact, it has been reported that certain affiliates for Antivirus 2009 and Antivirus 360 were generating close to $330,000 in a month. Imagine the amount of money that could now be generated with over 8 million computers infected and displaying alerts suggesting you purchase it.

So, if find yourself receiving alerts for Spyware Protect 2009, please do not fall for the scam and purchase the program. Instead contact Delta Computer Assistance to have these infections removed.

Computers just seem to get slow. Even if it used to be fast, it almost feels tired now. 
The problem is twofold. Yes, your machine is slower that it was when you bought it. One reason is that the software you have on it now is probably much larger that software that was available back then. Newer programs require more resources and are targeted towards modern machines. 

Also, the more time has passed, the more stuff went on and came off of your machine, leaving “popcorn peanuts around the garbage can” so to speak.  Many of those “peanuts” are fragments of software long forgotten. You think you removed it, and the icons certainly aren’t there anymore. But it's pretty common for software manufacturers to forget a few pieces and leave them behind to clutter up your machine.

The final reason: your perspective. As you get used to your computer and programs you gradually expect more out of it, and work at a faster rate. So in a sense, it can seem slower and slower, even if it isn’t. Having a faster computer at your job than you have at home makes the home one feel very antiquated. So it’s probably not all in your head, but part of it could be!

So your first order of business is to clean it properly, or login and let us do it for you. There are a lot of tricks to squeeze much performance as humanly possible out of an older computer.  But sometimes it’s just too old. We don’t want you to spend more money than your computer is worth. And so you can count on Delta to steer you in the right direction.

The police are there to protect the public from the evils that are out there. Here is an amusing story though about a computer virus that took down some police officers. It seems that these officers frequented some dating sites that released a computer virus onto the department’s computer network. It was traced to this one particular area of the department and the officers were shifted back to street work.

Yet another reason to watch what websites you frequent when you are at work, computer viruses can negatively impact people in a number of different ways