Whether it’s Conflickr or a new fake anti-virus program, it seems like spyware and viruses are inescapable for any PC connected to the internet. It’s estimated the amount spent annually on security software in the United States has risen to over $800 million in recent years, but PCs are still getting infected daily. Why aren’t we virus free yet?

The answer lies in the character of malicious programming or greedy programmers. Computer viruses don’t spring up out of nowhere, they are designed by programmers who either have nothing better to do and think it’ll be fascinating, or pros who make money by abusing your PC. Whenever anti-virus companies are told about a new virus, they create a new definition for their anti-virus software to help isolate and remove that virus if it is downloaded onto your computer. Once the new definition is widespread enough that a significant share of PCs are safe against that virus, a new one is made by the malicious programmers and the cycle starts again. Almost two thousand new viruses were identified every day in 2007, and the issue isn’t going away anytime soon. This is why you want to allow your anti-virus software to download new virus definitions so often.

Annoyed hackers tired of the fast turnover of “regular” viruses have graduated to attacking your PC’s defences directly: your anti-virus software. Many new viruses include programming that either hides itself specifically from several popular anti-virus programs, prevents them from downloading new virus definitions, or shuts them down entirely. Even when these new viruses are identified quickly, many PCs will already be infected and the software on the machines won’t be able to get rid of the virus. In situations where one virus shuts down the anti-virus software entirely, other viruses will usually infect the machine and can render it inoperable in a few hours if not minutes. Still other nasty viruses employ tricks to avoid removal methodologies, and will re-infect a machine after an anti-virus program or a user attempts to delete them.

The war against computer viruses is non stop, but you can do something to help shield your system. Installing a good anti-virus program and allowing it to update often is just the 1st step, but beware of fake anti-virus programs you can find online (many of these are viruses themselves). The fake anti-virus programs normally go by the names : Antivirus 2010 Pro, Windows Pro Police, System Guard 2009, Personal Antivirus, Antispyware XP 2009, and lots more. You can see a pattern in how they name themselves. Never download anything from an individual or website you don’t trust, never open a suspicious email (you don’t always have to open the attachments to get infected), and do not go to websites with a poor reputation. If you take these steps and your personal computer still gets infected, have a trained professional remove the virus for you rather than trying to remove it yourself. Modern viruses can be awfully difficult to isolate and remove, and it’s very simple to damage your system accidentally while attempting to remove one.

If you’ve got a slow computer and think you are infected, call Geek Choice today. Our techs have the tools needed for proper virus removal and have access to fast breaking stories about new types of viruses and their removal. Geek Choice is a national on-site computer repair company. If your PC has any of the following issues, we will be able to help : Slow PC, Virus Removal, Spyware Removal, Computer startup problems, Printer not printing, Not connecting to the Internet, Scanner not working, or the “blue screen of death”. We also offer other technical support services, including: New pc setup, Data Backup or Recovery, Wireless network setup, Business Network Firewall setup, Upgrading memory, cpu, hard drives, video cards, and more. You can pick up the phone at any point and call us at 1-800-GEEK HELP (433-5435).