Q: I think I have spyware or a virus, what do I do now?

A: If you suspect that your computer might be infected by a virus or spyware, it is important to STOP using your computer immediately. The more you use the machine, the worse the infection will become, and the higher your chances will be of losing valuable programs and files. It is essential for you to bring your computer to a trained professional immediately to minimize damage to your system.


Q: Why is my computer running so slow?

A: There could be many reasons for this, and sometimes more than one thing could be causing your computer to slow down. A few common causes are: virus infections, spyware, corrupted Windows files, incompatible software and outdated hardware. Fortunately, all of these things can be fixed. A trained computer technician can easily diagnose these problems and solve them, and have your computer running back at full speed in no time.


Q: What can I do to keep my computer running like it should?

A: Microsoft offers many tools for the home user to keep their systems running in top condition. Tools such as Windows Update, disk defragmenter and disk clean-up are located right on your Start menu. Also, having a good anti-virus program and keeping it updated is essential.


Q: How can I keep my computer free of viruses and spyware?

A: While it is true that no anti-virus program can keep you 100% safe from virus attacks, having a reliable anti-virus program is essential to help block most of these intrusions. In order for any anti-virus program to be effective, it is important to download any update packages that become available, and to run virus scans on a regular basis. Simply having the program installed on your computer is not enough to keep yourself protected. These same rules apply to anti-spyware programs, which are just as important to have. Also, downloading and installing any Windows Updates that become available can help keep your system secure and protected from outside attacks.


Q: What is spyware?

A: Spyware is defined as: "computer software that is installed without the user's knowledge or consent on a personal computer to intercept data or take control over the user's computer". While the term "spyware" implies software that secretly monitors a user's computer usage, it is also capable of doing many other things. Spyware collects many different types of personal information, often relating to the user's Internet surfing habits. However, it can also interfere with the user's control of their own computer, causing changes to their system that they did not authorize. Spyware can redirect the Internet browser to harmful websites that may contain viruses, change important system settings, cause unwanted advertisements to pop up, and can even cause you to lose access to the Internet completely.