A compromised computer is stressful. We work through it methodically — identifying what's there, removing it cleanly, and helping you understand what happened so it's less likely to happen again.
The term "virus removal" covers a lot of ground. Some infections are straightforward — a piece of adware that slipped in through a software bundle. Others are more serious — ransomware, keyloggers, or rootkits that embed themselves deeply into the operating system.
We start by scanning with multiple tools to get a full picture of what's present. We don't rely on a single scan result, because different tools catch different things. From there, we remove what we find and assess whether the operating system is still trustworthy, or whether a clean reinstall would give you a more reliable starting point.
We won't use scare tactics or tell you your machine is in worse shape than it is. What we find is what you'll hear about — clearly explained, in plain language.
Different malware behaves differently. Here's a plain-language overview of what we commonly encounter.
Traditional viruses attach themselves to files and spread when those files are opened or shared. Worms self-propagate across networks without needing user interaction. Both can corrupt files, degrade performance, or serve as entry points for other infections.
These are among the most common and frustrating infections. Adware floods you with unwanted ads. Browser hijackers change your homepage, default search engine, or redirect your searches without your permission. They're often bundled with free software.
Spyware quietly monitors your activity and sends information back to a third party. Keyloggers record what you type — potentially including passwords and financial information. These are more serious threats that warrant prompt attention.
Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. This is one of the more damaging infections. Recovery options depend on whether you have backups, what strain is involved, and how quickly it was caught. We assess the situation honestly and explain your options.
Trojans masquerade as legitimate software while opening backdoors. Remote access trojans (RATs) can give an attacker live control over your computer. These require thorough removal and often a full operating system reinstall to be certain the system is clean.
Not quite malware, but not welcome either — toolbars, fake antivirus programs, system "optimizers" that do more harm than good. These often install alongside other software and are easy to miss. We identify and remove them as part of a standard cleanup.
A consistent process helps ensure we're not missing anything.
We talk through what you've noticed — pop-ups, slowness, unexpected behavior, error messages — and take note of any events that preceded the problem (new software, a suspicious email, a website visit). This context often helps narrow down what we're dealing with.
We run scans using multiple tools — no single scanner catches everything. We check active processes, startup items, browser extensions, scheduled tasks, and common hiding spots for malware. This takes time to do properly.
We remove what we find, in an order that prevents certain types of malware from reinstalling themselves before we can get to their roots. We verify removal rather than just assuming the scanner's "removed" status is accurate.
After removal, we check whether the operating system itself is intact — some infections modify system files. If the OS has been tampered with significantly, a clean reinstall may be the more reliable path than trying to patch what's there.
Before returning your computer, we make sure your antivirus software is installed and updated, Windows Defender or equivalent is active, and we walk you through a few habits that reduce the chance of reinfection. We don't sell security software — we'll tell you what free options work well.
Some of these signs have other explanations, but in combination they're worth taking seriously.
Don't wait on this one — some infections are more damaging the longer they sit. Get in touch and we'll take a look.