Virus Removal Part 2: What Not To Do If You Have A Virus

In the last post I provided you with some actionable items in case your computer becomes infected with a virus. In this post I’ll advise you against some of the worst things you can do in the event your system becomes infected.  If you get a virus DO NOT do the following:

1. Don’t E-mail attachments
Until you’ve identified and completely eradicated the virus, don’t send any e-mail attachments, whether pictures, documents, mp3s, or video, to anyone. This is the electronic equivalent of sneezing into your hand and immediately shaking someone else’s when you have the flu.  First run a virus scan, then do it again, and once the report comes back clean then you can email that funny video to your friend.

2. Don’t plug in any external drives or copy files
A lot of viruses are sophisticated enough to automatically copy themselves to an external hard drive or even a USB stick once one is connected to the system. The virus then piggybacks on the device from one computer to the next. Viruses can also replicate themselves into files that you copy, and back up. This means that if your computer gets infected and you haven’t backed up your files regularly, it may already be too late. A little preventative effort is all it takes, so if you don’t have a virus, please back up your computer regularly.

3. Don’t shop online or enter credit card or banking information
The most common goal of viruses and malware is to steal credit card and bank information to enable your attacker to commit fraud and identity theft. Most viruses do this by capturing keystrokes or screen shots and then sending this data to the malware’s creator. The cost of removing a virus from your computer is marginal compared to the cost of recovering from identity theft. If there’s even the slightest possibility of a virus, hold off on entering credit card information until you’re sure the coast is clear.

4. Don’t log in to any personal accounts
Don’t log in to your email or any of your social media accounts. Just like credit card numbers, passwords and login information is just as susceptible to being captured by a virus. A good rule of thumb is to avoid any site or account that might contain personal or potentially sensitive data.

70% of internet users have experienced some kind of virus or malware problem. While the odds are good that you will at some point contract a virus, make sure to follow the tips offered in this post and the last to stop the problem and correct it, rather than making it worse.

Virus Removal Part 1: What To Do If You Have A Virus

If you notice your computer randomly opening or closing programs, an increase of pop-ups, slow performance, or god forbid, the dreaded BSD (blue screen of death), you probably have a computer virus. While this kind of thing is best left in the hands of a Cleveland virus removal specialist, here is a definitive list of things you should do when you have contracted a virus.

1. Do disconnect from the network
The first step you need to take is to disconnect from your wired or wireless network. This will help prevent he virus from spreading to other network-connected devices. You will still need internet access, but will want to be removed from the network. To do this turn off the wireless network locator function and disable all file and printer sharing.

2. Do lock traffic with your firewall
Hopefully by now you’ve taken steps to install a strong firewall program to filter or stop all internet traffic completely. When you lock down the firewall you prevent the virus from spreading or accessing the internet. If you don’t have a firewall you can still disable your network connections or simply disconnect the Ethernet cable. The disadvantage here is that if you don’t have the latest updates for your anti-virus program, you’ll need to download and install them before locking the system completely.

3. Do update your OS
A lot of times defeating a virus or malware could be as simple as updating your operating system. Windows and Mac both issue regular updates for their operating systems that will block any security gaps and prevent the virus from spreading.

4. Do update and run your Anti-Virus software
Make sure you anti-virus software is fully updated and run a full system scan to find and eradicate the malicious program. This is really the only way to confirm the presence of a virus, and the easiest form of virus removal. While Mac is well-known for not being exposed to viruses, there have been reports of malware attacks on Apple’s product line, so it’s still very important to have a strong anti-virus package on your Mac.

5. Do reinstall your OS
While typically this would be a last resort, there is one final way to rescue your PC. Hopefully you’ve been backing up your files regularly so you won’t lose any files in the process. If not it may be collateral damage, but at least you won’t have to buy a new computer. Perform a disk wipe and then reinstall your operating system with the installation disks you should have from when you bought the computer.

So now that we’ve covered some “DO’s” for what to do when you get a virus, in the next post, I’ll cover some definitive “DON’T’S.”

PC Repair and Virus Removal: Advanced Wireless Network Security Tips – Part 2

In the last post, we covered some advanced techniques for making your wireless network even more secure. We discussed the importance of physical security and location of routers, the benefits of enterprise encryption, and advantages of using an intrusion detection and prevention system.  Today we’ll cover even more techniques that can help keep your network secure and your computer free of viruses and malware.

4. Create Usage Policies
Here are a couple of example policies you can implement to improve the security and integrity of your wireless network.

·       List devices that are authorized to access the wireless network. Explicitly name which computers and mobile devices can gain access to the network by enabling MAC address filtering on the network router.
·       Use the 802.1X authentication you set up in step #1 of this two-part series to develop a list of authorized personnel usernames and passwords that can access the network.
·       Make sure only the IT department can set up wireless routers. This prevents someone from plugging in an AP from home to extend the signal.
·       If you’re concerned about data being compromised while a company device is connected to a wi-fi hotspot or home network, implement rules to govern the wi-fi connections the device is allowed to use. You can impose network filters, or a VPN connection back to the company network to protect internet activity and remotely access files securely.

5. Use SSL or IPsec on top of Wi-Fi Encryption
It’s possible to double-encrypt your network by using an SSL or IPsec layer over your normal WPA authorization.  This also helps secure wired communication to prevent eavesdropping or outsiders tapping into the network through a physical port.

By implementing these 5 tips you should be well on your way to a hack-proof network and achieving greater security than you would with the basic networking measures. This should help you keep your computers and network free from viruses and cyber attacks and help you avoid expensive pc and laptop repairs.

PC Repair and Virus Removal: Advanced Wireless Network Security Tips – Part 1

So if you’ve read previous posts you should be caught up on the basics of wi-fi security: encrypt your network, use WPA or WPA2, change the default settings, etc. In this two part series, we’re going to cover some advanced security measures for your wireless network.

1. Enterprise Encryption
Most likely you are only using the Personal or Pre-shared Key mode of your Wi-fi Protected Access (WPA). This only requires an encryption key that must be given when connecting to the wireless network. You can achieve better central management and overall wi-fi security by setting your WPA to “Enterprise” mode, which requires 802.1X/EAP authentication to connect wirelessly. This means each user needs a unique username and password to login. The encryption key will be derived securely from these fields so that your encryption key remains completely confidential.

Additionally, this allows you to change or revoke access to certain users. Should an employee ever leave the company or steal a laptop, you can simply change their user settings from the central control. If you were only using personal or pre-shared key mode, you would have to change the encryption key and alert the remaining users of the change.

2. Physical Security
While most of your wireless security will rely on technical equipment and know-how, a great deal of security efforts will remain in the physical realm. If you leave an Ethernet port or router in plain sight, someone can easily link up at that port to access your network. Additionally they could press the reset button on the router to restore it to default settings leaving your network wide open. Network components should be secured and out of sight.

3. Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS)
An intrusion detection or prevention system is a piece of software that uses your wireless adapter to monitor Wi-fi signals for problems.  They help detect unknown or rogue APs or alert you when an AP settings don’t match the standards you’ve defined. They also analyze network packets to monitor and prevent hacking or jamming.

Stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part series on Advanced wireless network security tips that can help you protect your network, and help you avoid costly pc repairs. Should you ever have a security occurrence and are worried about your computer, just bring it in to your friendly Cleveland PC Repair and Virus Removal shop for guidance.

Read Part 2 Here…