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Using Real IT Support To Get Rid Of Tech Support Malware Scams On Windows 10

by Sylvia Miller

For all its usefulness, there is no denying that the Internet is a dangerous and sometimes annoying place. While some viruses and malware attempt to steal your information to commit identity fraud, others will simply try to scam you out of a few hundred bucks. Some of the most common malware circulating on Windows 10 today are tech support scams, which trigger on startup and freeze your screen, prompting you to call a fake "tech support" number to pay to have the problem removed. Thankfully, with the help of a real IT support service, you should be able to restore your computer without paying ransom. 

Deleting New Apps 

This type of malware often activates within a few minutes of your PC restarting, meaning you will need to act quickly while you still have control. Your first step should be to open up your Windows settings. Navigate to "System" and then "Apps and features," and then sort the various programs on your PC by their install date. If you don't recognize the newest programs, they are likely malware and should be uninstalled as quickly as possible. 

Running an Anti-Virus or Anti-Malware Program

If uninstalling those programs stops your screen from locking up, you should now be able to run an anti-virus or anti-malware program of your choosing to hunt down any remaining bugs in your system. These programs are updated with the latest known security threats to keep your computer safe, and they will crawl through all of your files to find and delete them. This may take several hours, so be ready to let it run without interference for some time. 

Finding the Offending Files

Unfortunately, sometimes uninstalling the programs isn't enough, or your anti-virus program may not catch everything. In this case, you will need to dig a little deeper. Start by pressing your control, alt and delete keys to bring up your task manager, which will display the active processes on your computer. You may recognize some based on their file names, but any you are unfamiliar with can be checked on Google to see if it is malware. When you find one, write down its name and end the process. You can then search for those file names within Windows Explorer, but be sure to check your whole PC as you search. This method can lead you to the folders that contain the original problem files, which may install themselves again if not deleted.  

Calling a Real IT Support Service

If all of this sounds a little too technical or your problem persists, it may be time to call in the help of a professional IT support service. Rather than trying to scam you, these experts will help you scrub your machine of viruses once and for all and show you how to prevent them in the future. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important in this digital era, so whenever you suspect that you have a virus or malware beyond your control, don't let it sit and rob your information. Get the help you need with a legitimate IT support crew and browse with peace of mind once more.

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