Think You Have a Virus? How to Know for Sure — and What Not to Do

"I think I have a virus" is one of our most common calls. Sometimes it's real, sometimes it's a scam designed to look like one. Here's how to tell, and what not to do.

Signs of a real infection

• The machine is suddenly much slower, with the fan running constantly.
• New toolbars, your homepage changed, or search redirects to weird sites.
• Programs you didn't install, or pop-ups even when no browser is open.
• Files renamed or locked with a ransom demand.

What NOT to do

• Don't call the number in a pop-up. "Microsoft" and "Apple" do not put warning pop-ups with phone numbers on your screen. That's the scam.
• Don't pay anyone who took over your screen or is demanding payment to "unlock" it.
• Don't enter passwords while you suspect an infection — disconnect from the internet first.

How to check safely

Disconnect from Wi-Fi, then run a full Windows Defender scan (Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options → Full scan). If it finds something it can't fully remove, that's where a real cleanup comes in.

Our virus and malware removal includes a full scan, complete removal, and hardening so it doesn't come back — and for small businesses, it's free under 5 computers ($50/hr per PC after that).

Still stuck? We can help.

We're in Dawsonville and we fix computers for people all over North Georgia — Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Canton, Jasper and beyond, plus remote support anywhere. Diagnostics are a flat $24.99, credited toward the repair if we fix it, and free if we can't. (706) 203-2563 or start a repair request.