FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive as tech professionals.
How do I know if I have Spyware or a virus?
- We'll give you a little background first: spyware, malware, and adware are the most common infections on computers as of recent times. Viruses aren't really as prominent as they were in the 90s, but the protection is still needed, in case someone brings back an old virus that deleted everything on your computer. Spyware and adware have one purpose: monetary gain.
Spyware can be anything from something that writes down every keystroke you press to something that simply looks at websites you go to for advertising purposes. Adware pops-up advertisements unsolicited on your computer, disrupting your computer from its regular activities. Malware is a general term loosely based around the programmer's intent being malicious rather than for monetary gain.
You can tell if you are infected if you are using an outdated anti-*ware/anti-virus and your computer is doing anything that you don't implicitly tell it to do. Computers are unable to make any decisions or do anything without the user telling them to do it. The idea is that you are supposed to be the only user telling the computer what to do. TechArmy offers a free evaluation for viruses and spyware if you think your PC is infected.
Is my computer safe?
- While no computer, even government protected computers, are completely safe from intrusions, the only way to be completely safe is to unhook your computer from the Internet. But we do not take that as an answer and advise our customers to purchase a high-grade detector/eradicator for unwanted programs or, at the least, use a free alternative, like Avast! Home Edition. This way, your chances of infection are reduced by at least 90%. The easiest way to be safe on the Internet is to keep your computer updated, don't download suspicious programs, and acquire a security suite.
Why does it matter if I have no wireless security? I have Anti-virus.
- Having anti-virus is only useful for viruses. Anti-virus usually doesn't come with a firewall (blocks unwanted Internet activity inbound and outbound) or anti-spyware features, unlike VIPRE Security Suite. But even beyond that, having someone on the inside of your wireless router (which is a hardware firewall), provides an intruder with easy access to the internals of your network, and to exploits not available outside of your network. They get to download music, movies, games, whatever, without worrying about the RIAA or MPAA coming knocking on their door (But you do!). They get to hack other computers through your Internet connection. They slow down your Internet connection. And usually, you'll never even know they're there! Luckily, TechArmy offers wireless network setup with security, at half the price of those other guys.
How do I know if I have Spyware or a virus?
- We'll give you a little background first: spyware, malware, and adware are the most common infections on computers as of recent times. Viruses aren't really as prominent as they were in the 90s, but the protection is still needed, in case someone brings back an old virus that deleted everything on your computer. Spyware and adware have one purpose: monetary gain.
Spyware can be anything from something that writes down every keystroke you press to something that simply looks at websites you go to for advertising purposes. Adware pops-up advertisements unsolicited on your computer, disrupting your computer from its regular activities. Malware is a general term loosely based around the programmer's intent being malicious rather than for monetary gain.
You can tell if you are infected if you are using an outdated anti-*ware/anti-virus and your computer is doing anything that you don't implicitly tell it to do. Computers are unable to make any decisions or do anything without the user telling them to do it. The idea is that you are supposed to be the only user telling the computer what to do. TechArmy offers a free evaluation for viruses and spyware if you think your PC is infected.
Is my computer safe?
- While no computer, even government protected computers, are completely safe from intrusions, the only way to be completely safe is to unhook your computer from the Internet. But we do not take that as an answer and advise our customers to purchase a high-grade detector/eradicator for unwanted programs or, at the least, use a free alternative, like Avast! Home Edition. This way, your chances of infection are reduced by at least 90%. The easiest way to be safe on the Internet is to keep your computer updated, don't download suspicious programs, and acquire a security suite.
Why does it matter if I have no wireless security? I have Anti-virus.
- Having anti-virus is only useful for viruses. Anti-virus usually doesn't come with a firewall (blocks unwanted Internet activity inbound and outbound) or anti-spyware features, unlike VIPRE Security Suite. But even beyond that, having someone on the inside of your wireless router (which is a hardware firewall), provides an intruder with easy access to the internals of your network, and to exploits not available outside of your network. They get to download music, movies, games, whatever, without worrying about the RIAA or MPAA coming knocking on their door (But you do!). They get to hack other computers through your Internet connection. They slow down your Internet connection. And usually, you'll never even know they're there! Luckily, TechArmy offers wireless network setup with security, at half the price of those other guys.