Spyware

From FastEasyWiki

Spyware Removal

Unfortunately even the best anti-virus programme can let stuff through.

Here at Fast 'N' Easy we have become quite adept at removing the various forms of malware that have been brought to our attention.

Current common ones are

• Windows Antivirus 2009/10 (a.k.a. Vista Antivirus)

• Zlob

• CoolWebSearch

• Zango

• Hotbar

• Smitfraud (SpySheriff)

Many of these fake anti-virus and fake spyware detectors are fraudulant attempts at getting Credit card details. They will not be automatically removed by legitimate spyware removers as they use polymorphic techniques to protect themselves. Fortunately our experienced technical engineers have found ways around the techniques the spyware writers use, so we can remove them.

Most spyware fixes like this take 1-2hrs (£30-60+VAT) and require an infected computer to be left at our premises (in Hazel Grove). While we have your PC in we give it a full check up and service as well. Infection removal takes place over a day or so (running repeated tests and scans), we only charge you for engineer time in front of the machine not the total time taken.

One thing to note: if your PC has one of these nasties, it probably has a lot more which are not so obvious. Do not use it on the internet as you put yourself and others at risk.

Vista and Windows7

Recent developments in Viruses and spyware have made removal on existing Windows7 and Vista systems problematic and not always sucessful. We now recommend a full backup of data and re-installation of these operating systems. While we can preserve stuff you have created and give you back a working clean and fully updated operating system, you will need to re-install programs such as Microsoft Office, Camera software, printer software etc. We charge £60+VAT for a full reinstall of Vista or Windows 7 with data backup and transfer back. We can of course install other software and peripheral drivers either in our shop (if equipment bought in with the PC) or onsite. There are unfortunately extra charges for this extra work. Alternately we can try a normal skilled virus removal using the myriad of tools we normally apply to XP systems, however sucess is probably only 60% with Vista sytems (and we predict similar results with windows 7). Basically there is a flaw in Vista that allows some cleaned up systems to be re-infected and only a bare full reinstall is guaranteed to clear any problems.