Problem: Laptop or computer infected with malware/virus/slow/unwanted popups, because say, a friend has kindly uninstalled/reloaded back to original pristine factory state (a new full setup required) or because my system is just sick and has pick up a bug somewhere 'out there'.
Auxiliary problem: Don't have any spare cash for a tech to come by and do it for me.
Auxiliary problem: Don't have any spare cash for a tech to come by and do it for me.
Solution: remove malware popups with adwcleaner and MBAM, install ccleaner, libreoffice (optional but recommended), and avgfree. Set up OpenDNS (also optional but recommended) for additional protection from malware.
Savings: about 1.5 hrs x $50/hr = $75
Thanks!
Why adwcleaner? Well, it is free to download and works magnificently to remove hidden malware. The downside is that the program is continuously updated and must be downloaded and run the same week or it complains it is too old to do anything. Also, if your computer is hooped, you may need to download it on a working computer, save the program on a USB Thumbdrive or similar product and then copy it onto your hooped machine and run it. The link I use to find and download it is http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner
Then for good measure, install and run MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti Malware) program. This is also a free to download and use program that I have used to great benefit over the past several years. You can purchase a copy of this if you so desire, but you mentioned your auxiliary problem above .. I download it from the https://www.malwarebytes.org site by clicking on the 'Free Version Download' button (remember to deselect the trial version so you just get the free version without the eventual annoying popups later). Run it - it takes quite some time - and at the end it lists a whole bunch of things that need to be fixed (usually). Let the program fix all those and you should now be golden!
I like to install and run the free CCleaner program next. As above, you can purchase the non-free version if you want, but the free version does all the same stuff - you just have to remember to start it manually when you need to do some system cleaning. CCleaner has three main functions - removing temp files, cleaning your windows system registry, and helping you safely uninstall unneeded programs (toolbars, old 'antivirus' utilities, etc). I install it on all the computers I fix and run it from time to time as needed. The link for this download is at http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner - I click the green 'Free Download' button.
And the last step - make sure you have a working antivirus program. I like to remove whatever you thought was working for you - you did get hacked while it was on duty, right? and install something like AVG free. I have used AVG for years now and in general have been quite pleased with it. Just set it and mostly forget it. So use CCleaner to remove that old whatever program and get a fresh new antivirus program installed. The download link for the AVG Free program is http://free.avg.com/ca-en/homepage and, surprise, as above I click the green 'Free Download' button to get it .. for free. You again are free to purchase the paid version but the free one works fine for me and most home users. And it is free for home users like yourself (for commercial sites we buy a license, often for multiple computers - but it is quiet reasonable even so).
Once you have removed all malware using the adwcleaner and MBAM programs, cleared up your system with CCleaner and installed AVG free to keep you protected - you should be back to normal with your computer.
The advanced credit course on installing and using OpenDNS and LibreOffice on your computer I leave to some future date. Happy Computer-ing! Or if you do find you really need a tech to do all this for you - call me sometime!
'Roger the computer guy'.
Then for good measure, install and run MBAM (MalwareBytes Anti Malware) program. This is also a free to download and use program that I have used to great benefit over the past several years. You can purchase a copy of this if you so desire, but you mentioned your auxiliary problem above .. I download it from the https://www.malwarebytes.org site by clicking on the 'Free Version Download' button (remember to deselect the trial version so you just get the free version without the eventual annoying popups later). Run it - it takes quite some time - and at the end it lists a whole bunch of things that need to be fixed (usually). Let the program fix all those and you should now be golden!
I like to install and run the free CCleaner program next. As above, you can purchase the non-free version if you want, but the free version does all the same stuff - you just have to remember to start it manually when you need to do some system cleaning. CCleaner has three main functions - removing temp files, cleaning your windows system registry, and helping you safely uninstall unneeded programs (toolbars, old 'antivirus' utilities, etc). I install it on all the computers I fix and run it from time to time as needed. The link for this download is at http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner - I click the green 'Free Download' button.
And the last step - make sure you have a working antivirus program. I like to remove whatever you thought was working for you - you did get hacked while it was on duty, right? and install something like AVG free. I have used AVG for years now and in general have been quite pleased with it. Just set it and mostly forget it. So use CCleaner to remove that old whatever program and get a fresh new antivirus program installed. The download link for the AVG Free program is http://free.avg.com/ca-en/homepage and, surprise, as above I click the green 'Free Download' button to get it .. for free. You again are free to purchase the paid version but the free one works fine for me and most home users. And it is free for home users like yourself (for commercial sites we buy a license, often for multiple computers - but it is quiet reasonable even so).
Once you have removed all malware using the adwcleaner and MBAM programs, cleared up your system with CCleaner and installed AVG free to keep you protected - you should be back to normal with your computer.
The advanced credit course on installing and using OpenDNS and LibreOffice on your computer I leave to some future date. Happy Computer-ing! Or if you do find you really need a tech to do all this for you - call me sometime!
'Roger the computer guy'.
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