Understanding Virus Removal

Since 1996, I seem to have been the master at getting viruses. So naturally, it wasn't long before I had to learn to remove them. In 96, it was much MUCH easier to remove a virus from a computer.... and as a matter of fact, it was also much harder to get infected. After formal training in college, and even more in the military, and then even more as a store owner, I've come to the reality that in today's times - getting a new virus is as easy click on a page you've been to 1 trillion times but this time - it will be different. Somebody has embedded a hidden code - and you're about to unknowingly share all of your personal data with a money hungry computer programmer overseas. STOP WHERE YOU'RE AT! Once you realize you've been infected - don't do anything! You're safest best it to physically unplug you're computer's power cord (99.999% of the time, I would say "never do this", however telling windows to shut down allows the virus to implant itself during windows normal shutdown procedures. Next unplug the ethernet cable (the one that looks like a wider phone jack) and bring that box to my shop! The next day when you pick up your computer with a clean bill of health, it's time to start changing your passwords! Something most people ALMOST NEVER DO! I try to remind everybody to do this often but most people are somewhat like me and will forget their passwords 2 minutes after changing them. Write them on a small dry erase board or a post it and keep it in your house. These people trying to steal you're identity and information are COWARDS! They will not break into your house and look for your password sheet.