Let me guess: you’re seeing pop-ups you never saw before. Or your computer suddenly got slow. Or something is telling you that you have viruses and need to call a number immediately.
Take a breath. Let’s figure out what’s actually going on.
If you’re in Hartsville, Florence, Darlington, or anywhere in the Pee Dee region, I can help clean up your computer and show you how to avoid these problems in the future.
Here’s the first thing to know: most “virus warnings” you see are fake. Scammers put scary pop-ups on websites to trick you into calling them. Then they charge you hundreds of dollars to “fix” a problem that doesn’t exist.
Signs it’s a SCAM:
Signs of an ACTUAL virus:
If you’re seeing the first type — the scary pop-up with a phone number — don’t call it. That’s a scam. Close the browser (you might need to force-quit it), and you’re probably fine.
If you’re seeing the second type, you might have actual malware. That’s when you call me.
When I come to your house, here’s my process:
1. Assess the damage. I’ll look at what’s going on and figure out what we’re dealing with. Is it actual malware? A potentially unwanted program? Or just a scare tactic?
2. Back up your important stuff. Before I do anything aggressive, I make sure your photos, documents, and anything else important is safe.
3. Remove the bad stuff. I use professional tools (not the free junk that itself is often bundled with malware) to clean your system.
4. Check for damage. Sometimes malware changes settings, installs other programs, or does other things that persist even after the main threat is removed. I clean all of that up.
5. Protect you going forward. I’ll make sure you have decent antivirus protection (Windows Defender is actually fine for most people — you don’t need to pay for anything) and show you how to avoid problems.
Here in the Pee Dee region, I see a lot of people who’ve been targeted by phone scams. Someone calls, says they’re from Microsoft, and claims your computer is infected.
Microsoft will never call you. Period. If someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Windows, or your internet provider saying your computer has a virus, it’s a scam. Hang up.
Same goes for pop-ups with phone numbers. Real virus warnings don’t include phone numbers to call.
If you’ve already let someone access your computer, don’t panic, but we should check what they did. Sometimes they install software that lets them get back in later, or they’ve changed passwords, or they’ve stolen information. Call me and I’ll make sure your system is clean.
I’m not going to lecture you, but here are a few things that make a big difference:
Don’t click links in unexpected emails. Even if it looks like it’s from Amazon or your bank. Go to the website directly instead.
Keep your browser up to date. Chrome, Firefox, Edge — whatever you use, let it update.
Be skeptical of phone calls about your computer. If someone calls you about tech problems, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Don’t download programs from random websites. Stick to official sources.
When in doubt, ask. Text me a screenshot if something looks suspicious. I’d rather tell you it’s fine than have you get scammed.
It happens. These scammers are good at what they do, and there’s no shame in falling for it.
If you’ve already paid someone or given them access to your computer:
I cover Hartsville, Florence, Darlington, and the surrounding Pee Dee area. $100 flat rate for in-home service.
Whether you’ve got a real virus, a fake scare, or you’re just not sure, give me a call. I’ll come take a look, fix whatever’s wrong, and make sure you know how to stay safe going forward.
Call or text: 854-204-7526 Email: [email protected]
No judgment, just help.
