Is it worth it?

Computer Stuff on February 26th, 2010 No Comments

I’ve had a rash of PC’s come in lately where their owners were having issues – random shut downs, inability to install updates or software, can’t search the web as expected, etc. There is one common thread between all of them – file sharing. Whether it was LimeWire, BitTorrent or web sites, it provided the same outcome – a seriously infected PC. So I ask a simple question – is it worth it?

Is it worth it to grab the latest and hottest songs and movies from the ‘net from file sharing programs and sites for free? How does it feel to have your PC come to a crawl just to have that song or movie? Even more importantly, how does it feel to shell out the $70 or so (depending on the level of infection) for me to clean up your PC because you decided to swipe the song from the web as opposed to pay $.99 for it? Is it worth it?

Now I understand the whole I’m a poor college/high school kid argument, but now you’ve made that situation even worse because you’re now $70 in the hole as opposed to $.99 (or whatever the cost of the media you want is.) Just because your program or web site says the file you’re downloading is just the song or movie you want doesn’t always mean that’s all you’re getting. It’s like that one Christmas as a kid – you know you’re getting presents, only to find out that gift isn’t that toy you wanted, but some ugly sweater or turtle neck.

Now that I’ve thrown the whole guilt-trip thing at you, here’s the steps to start fixing the problem.

1. Quit using file sharing – literally.

Most file sharing programs will run in the background to make it easy for you to keep doing whatever else you’re doing while your five finger discount goods are being downloaded. You will need to kill these processes. Typically, you’ll see them in your Task Bar (lower right hand corner of your screen.) Right click on your program of choice and choose exit, quit or whatever terminology is used to close the program.

2. Remove your file sharing program.

While your program has a built-in uninstaller, they typically leave behind all sorts of garbage after they are uninstalled. They came, they partied and then left the place trashed. Grab yourself a copy of Revo Uninstaller and uninstall your program. Revo will not only run the program’s built-in uninstaller, it will scan your registry and PC for those left overs and give you the ability to clean up after the program.

3. Get your PC updated.

This is sometimes easier said than done. If you have a serious infection, you may not be able to update Windows, your anti-virus software or anything else on your PC. Assuming this is not the case, start by updating your anti-virus software, then Windows, then all other software on your PC. You need to plug any holes in the software on your PC. If you are in the unfortunate situation where your PC physically cannot update anything, you can do one of two things. First, you can drop me a line or second, you can attempt to eradicate your PC yourself.

4a. Eradication

I will take the utmost care of your PC when attempting to fix the infection. Typically, expect to be without your PC for about 24-48 hours. While you won’t be billed for 24-48 worth of work, my software can only run as your PC will allow. You are only billed for the actual time I am working on your PC. In other words, the meter is only running if I’m physically working on the machine.

A typical cleanup takes 1-2 hours of work to clean up the mess, uninstall junk and get your PC’s software as updated as possible. Typically, your PC will be in perfect working order. You may have things missing (toolbars, cute screen savers, cute mouse pointers, music, movies or any other infected files) when you get your PC back. There is no way around this as typically these items were the source of the infection.

4b. Self-eradication

Self eradication is not an easy process and can be somewhat daunting when the malware on your PC is killing every attempt you make to start cleaning up. There’s some pretty tough stuff out there that will literally fight back while you attempt to clean house. It makes things really fun. Here’s a list of software (in no particular order) I may use in cleaning a PC. These are all freely available on the web and I’ve provided links to their respective web sites.

These links are provided to help you clean up your PC. I, in no way, take responsibility if you cause more harm than good if you use one of the above listed pieces of software on your PC. There is always a chance that cleaning up your PC will cause serious damage to the stability of Windows depending on how badly infected your PC is.

Some malware sink their claws into Windows so deep that removing them destroys Windows. The only option at this point is to get your files backed up off your hard drive, then “nuke and pave” – completely wipe your hard drive and start with a fresh install of Windows.

With all that said, is it still worth it?

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