Best way to fix an infected computer!

So your computer has been infected, what is the best way to make sure you have eliminated it, “Fresh Install”.  We recommend that this be completed by a computer specialist to help eliminate any loss of data. 

What is a fresh install? 

Another term for “fresh install” might be “factory reset” or “reinstalling the operating system”. Essentially, all of your data and information on your computer is backed up to a different device, and then your computer is reset. Everything on your computer is removed, before the underlying operating system (the piece of software which your programs rely on) is reinstalled.  It removes ALL of your software, your settings, files and folders and saved passwords. 

Why fresh install, can’t you just fix it? 

If the hardware of your computer is like a buildings foundation, the operating system is the frame which all of your software and data else is built around. Sometimes the operating system is corrupted, which means important parts that your computer relies on are either missing or damaged. What causes this damage? A program can cause damage to your computer by accident, sometimes a piece of hardware within your computer is faulty, and occasionally a virus attaches itself to the operating system. It’s very hard to tell how far the damage has gone, or how it will affect you later. While we could simply repair what we find, your computer programs may not work later on, or you could leave open the same holes the viruses used in the first place to attack your computer. Even if it takes a little longer or it’s more difficult, in the long run, you are much better off with a fresh install. 

Will I lose everything? 

You need to ensure that you backup all your files and folders, important documents/music/email contacts/etc before you do a “Fresh Install”.  Your computer specialist should offer this as part of their service when recommending a “Fresh Install” on your computer.  Once the fresh Install is completed, your files and folders, etc can be copied back onto your computer.   

You will however lose any software or settings on your computer.  Software is a bit different because of the way that they attach themselves to the operating system, these will have to be reinstalled.  

What do you need to provide? 

To make things as easy and as smooth as possible for your computer specialist is to provide any recent backups of your computer, recovery CD’s (these most likely came with your computer) or Microsoft Office CD’s, and any additional software CD’s for programmes installed on your computer.  This will assist your computer specialists to get your computer back up and running as fast as possible. 

As always, don’t hesitate to speak to your local computer store, get the right advice.