You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune on Antivirus
Let me save you some money straight away. If you're running Windows 10 or 11, you already have a perfectly decent antivirus program built in. It's called Windows Defender (or Microsoft Defender, depending on which version you're on), and it's genuinely good. It wasn't always - ten years ago I'd have told you to install something else immediately - but these days it consistently ranks alongside the big paid options in independent testing.
So no, you don't need to spend £40 a year on Norton or McAfee. In fact, some of those paid programs actually slow your computer down more than they protect it. I've lost count of the number of machines I've serviced here in Letchworth where the biggest performance problem turned out to be a bloated antivirus suite hogging all the resources.
That said, having Defender running doesn't make you bulletproof. The software is only half the battle. The other half is you.
The Biggest Threat Is You (Sorry)
I don't mean that to sound harsh, but it's true. The vast majority of virus and malware infections I deal with at the shop are caused by human error, not by some hacker breaking through your firewall. Here's how most people get infected:
- Clicking on dodgy email links or attachments - This is still the number one method. You get an email that looks like it's from Royal Mail, your bank, or Amazon saying there's a problem with your delivery or account. You click the link, and that's all it takes.
- Downloading software from untrustworthy sites - If you're searching for a free version of something that normally costs money, there's a very good chance whatever you download will come bundled with malware.
- Clicking on fake pop-ups - Those warnings that say "Your computer is infected! Click here to scan now!" are themselves the virus. They're designed to scare you into clicking.
- Using outdated software - Old browsers, old plugins, and unpatched Windows installations have known security holes that malware exploits automatically.
Practical Steps to Stay Safe
Here's my honest, no-nonsense advice. These are the things I tell every customer who comes in for a virus removal, and they'll keep you safe without costing a penny.
Keep Windows Updated
I know Windows updates are annoying. They always seem to happen at the worst possible time, and sometimes they take ages. But they're not optional - not really. Many of those updates are security patches that fix vulnerabilities malware actively exploits. Turn on automatic updates and let them run. It's the single most important thing you can do.
Be Suspicious of Emails
If an email asks you to click a link or open an attachment, be cautious. Even if it looks legitimate, check the sender's actual email address (not just the display name). If it's from "Royal Mail" but the email address is something like `delivery-update-rm39582@randomdomain.xyz`, it's fake. When in doubt, go directly to the company's website rather than clicking any link in the email.
Only Download Software from Official Sources
If you need a program, get it from the developer's official website or the Microsoft Store. Don't Google "free download [program name]" and click the first result - that's how you end up with a toolbar-infested, adware-riddled mess. A customer from Hitchin brought in a laptop recently that had seventeen browser toolbars installed. Seventeen. It was barely functional.
Use an Ad Blocker
This might sound like odd advice from a security perspective, but a decent ad blocker (I recommend uBlock Origin) prevents malicious ads from loading in the first place. Malvertising - malware delivered through legitimate ad networks - is a real and growing problem. An ad blocker stops it dead.
Don't Ignore Warning Signs
If your browser homepage has changed without you doing it, if you're seeing pop-ups you didn't used to see, if your computer has suddenly slowed down, or if programs are appearing that you didn't install - those are all signs something has got in. Don't just ignore it and hope for the best. The longer malware sits on your system, the more damage it can do and the harder it is to remove cleanly.
When to Call a Professional
If you've already got a virus or malware infection, trying to clean it yourself can sometimes make things worse - especially with more aggressive types of malware that dig themselves deep into the system. If you're not confident in what you're doing, bring it in.
We do thorough virus and malware removal at our shop in Letchworth Garden City. We don't just run a quick scan - we do a deep clean of the entire system, remove everything that shouldn't be there, and make sure your defences are properly set up afterwards. We see customers from all across North Hertfordshire - Letchworth, Hitchin, Stevenage, Baldock, and beyond.
Prevention Is Always Cheaper Than Cure
A virus removal costs more than keeping your machine clean in the first place. Follow the steps above, keep your wits about you online, and your computer will be fine. And if it ever isn't, you know where we are.
Need help or advice? Get in touch or pop into the shop at 2 The Wynd. We're always happy to have a chat.