Spyware messages

My PC has a popup message saying I have spyware and need to install a cleaner – what should I do ?

I wrote a previous blog on Spyware which goes into much more detail but basically the answer is – don’t do it ! A lot of spyware and adware programs pretend to be your friend by telling you that your PC has been infected – but your PC has been infected by the very program displaying the message. When you say yes you will probably be adding a further and potentially more serious infection.

The answer is to get help and advice from a professional support company, and/or install a quality Anti-Virus package that also deals with threats of this nature.

Remember that programs like this are trying to trick you – be suspicious and if in doubt don’t do it.

If the message was a genuine message issued by your existing Anti Virus software – then it is probably just informing you that it has spotted – and dealt with the threat. Follow the instructions on screen. You should be able to tell if it is a genuine message as the message will refer to the AV software installed on your PC. Symantec for example. Remember to be suspicious, if you have Symantec installed and the error message is titled AVG (another anti virus software product) then suspect it’s a fake message.

Serious infections usually mean that your PC must be wiped and rebuilt – is all your data backed up ????