Virus, Adware and Spyware Removal

What is Malware?

Malware (or "malicious software") is any program which has been designed to be harmful to a computer user. Viruses, spyware, adware, rogue software, Trojan horses; these are all types of malware. But what is the difference between them?

Viruses are a piece of programming code - often disguised as something else - that often causes unexpected and usually undesirable events. They are often designed to spread automatically to other computer users. Worms are self-replicating viruses that are coded to use inbuilt parts of the operating system (Windows/Linux/Apple OSX) to duplicate automatically and spread. They often go undetected by the user until their self-replication processes start consuming too many resources and they slow a PC to a halt. A Trojan horse is a virus where the malicious code is contained within something apparently harmless, like silly videos or applications. Trojans can often include other malware.

Spyware is something that is put in a person's computer essentially to spy on them. They secretly gather information about the user and relay it on to advertisers or other parties.

Adware is an often unwanted program in which advertising banners are displayed while it is running. Adware often also contains spyware to make the advertising more targeted to the user. Sometimes the adware will hijack the internet browser window and forward you to advertising sites before letting you go to the sites you wanted to go to.

Rogue software covers programs like fake anti-virus software, that fool you into thinking they are genuine. They often install with a minimal amount of effort from the user and their main aim is to trick people into parting with their hard-earned cash. This is the most common kind of malware going around at the moment. It can spread through an e-mail or facebook link that you may receive from someone you know and trust very well. The fake anti-virus programs often report that your computer is absolutely riddled with viruses - whereas you only usually have just the one - and for the software to remove them you will need to pay up to $100, when all it really does is stop bugging you. This kind of software defeats most anti-virus programs, so even if you have the likes of Norton or McAfee, you're not protected from them. ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Smart Security however, will stop them.

At the bottom of the page is a long list of programs to be aware of, please note how the names can often make them sound legitimate.

Malware Removal Service

If you think you have virus, adware or spyware on your computer, we can help. We use the latest technology to rid your PC or laptop of any malware that may be present.

Certain malware is often difficult to remove if your current virus protection does not detect and remove them. We have lots of experience of removing any viruses, spyware, adware and other malware, so we can do so, quickly and efficiently.

List of Common Rogue Software to look out for

Advanced XP Fixer, Anti Malware, AntiMalware Go, Antimalware Tool, AntiProtect, Antispycheck, AntiSpySafeguard, AntiSpySpider, AntispyStorm, AntiSpywareExpert, AntiSpywareMaster, Antivir / AnVi, AntiVira Av, Antivirus Action, Antivirus AntiSpyware 2011, Antivirus Clean 2011, Antivirus GT, Antivirus IS, AntivirusMate, Antivirus Monitor, Antivirus .NET, AntiVirus Protector, Antivirus Scan, AntiVirus Soft, Antivirus Stolution 2010, Antivirus Studio 2010, Antivirus Suite 2010, AntiVirus System 2011, AntiVirus 2010, Antivirus 360, Antivirus 7, Antivirus8 / Antivirus 8, AV8, AVG Antivirus 2011 (not AVG Anti-Virus), AVScanner, Check Disk, CleanScan, CleanThis, Defense Center, Defragmenter, Desktop Security 2010, Digital Protection, Disk Doctor, Disk OK, Disk Optimizer, Disk Recovery, Disk Repair, DriveCleaner, ErrorDoctor, E-Set Antivirus 2011, Fast Disk, Good Memory, Hard Drive Diagnostic, HDD Defragmenter, HDD Diagnostic, HDD Doctor, HDD Fix, HDD Low, HDD Plus, HDD Tools, InfoDoctor, InfoSecret, Internet Defender, Internet Protection, Internet Security 2010, Internet Security 2011, IronProtector, KSecurity, LiveSecuritySuite, Major Defense Kit, Malware Destructor 2011, Malware Doctor, Malware Scanner, Mega Antivirus 2012, Memory Fixer, Memory Optimizer, MS Removal Tool, My Disk, My Security Shield, NavaShield, NewClean, OneScan, Palladium Pro, PC Defender, Peak Protection 2010, PC Security 2011, Personal Antivirus, Personal Internet Security 2011, PCoptimizer 2010, Personal Security Sentinel, Pest Detector 4.1, Pest-Patrol, PrivacyCorrector, PrivacyGuard 2010, ProProtect, ProtectShield, Quick Defragmenter, Red Cross Antivirus, Scan 119, Scanner, Security Defender, SecureDefense, Security Essentials 2010, Security Essentials 2011, SecurityEssentialFraud, Security Inspector 2010, Security Master AV, Security Shield, Security Suite, Security Tool, Security Toolbar 7.1, ShieldSoldier, Smart Defragmenter, Smart Engine, Smart Engine Antivirus, Smart HDD, Smart Security, Smitfraud, SpyGuarder, SpyShredder, Spyware Protection 2010, Spyware Protection, SpywareRemover 2009, SpywareVanisher, System Defender, System Defragmenter, System Lock 2011, System Security, System Tool, System Tool 2011, ThinkSmart, ThinkPoint, Total PC Defender, TrustDefender / Trust Defender, Ultra Defragger, User Protection, Vaccine Killer, Vista Antispyware 2011, Vista Anti-Virus 2011, Vista Security 2011, Vista Total Security 2011, Win 7 Antimalware, Win 7 Home Security, Win 7 Internet Security 2011, WinAntivirus Pro, WinFixer, Win Defrag, Win Defragmenter, Win Disk, Win HDD, Win Scan, Windows Antispyware Solution, Windows AV Software, Windows Background Protector, Windows Care Tool, Windows Debug System, Windows Defence Center, Windows Diagnostic, Windows Disk, Windows Efficiency Manager, Windows Efficiency Magnifier, Windows Emergency System, Windows Error Correction, Windows Expansion System, Windows Express Help, Windows Express Settings, Windows Fix Disk, Windows Health Center, Windows Lowlevel Solution, Windows Optimal Settings, Windows Optimal Solution, Windows Optimal Tool, Windows Optimization Center, Windows Optimization & Security, Windows Passport Utility, Windows Performance Manager, Windows Power Expansion, Windows Privacy Agent, Windows Processes Organizer, Windows Problems Protector, Windows Problems Remover, Windows Problems Solution, Windows Process Regulator, Windows Recovery, Windows Remedy, Windows Repair, Windows Restore, Windows Risk Eliminator, Windows Safety Guarantee, Windows Safety Protection, Windows Scan, Windows Security & Control, Windows Servant System, Windows Shield Center, Windows Simple Protector, Windows Software Guard, Windows Software Protection, Windows Stability Center, Windows Support System, Windows System Optimizator, Windows Threats Removing, Windows Troublemakers Agent, Windows Troubles Analyzer, Windows Troubles Remover, Windows Tool, Windows Universal Tool, Windows User Satellite, Windows Utility Tool, Windows Wise Protection, WinPC Defender, WinSpywareProtect, XP Antispyware 2011, XP Anti-Virus 2011, XpCleaner, XP Guard, XP Police Antivirus, XP Security Tool 2011, Your Protection, Zhelatin