Why is my computer so slow?

#1 problem : Spyware / Adware / Malware / Viruses
One of our most common banes of internet computer existence is spyware and adware,
which can commonly drop trojan viruses on our computers or infect our systems with all kinds of unwanted garbage.
I use the following programs in my computer systems. ALSO, a new occuring trend: FAKE antivirus progams

Firefox 3 web Browser. TREMENDOUSLY GOOD at fighting popup ads, viruses, and spyware, this little gem is FREE and Microsoft's biggest fear! It's better and far safer than Internet Explorer, and here's why! I also recommend replacing Outlook Express with Firefox's companion: Thunderbird email program Thunderbird is the companion to Firefox. It works the same as Outlook Express, but is far better at fighting email scams and spoofing, or "phishing". It also features an easy import process from Outlook Express. Best of all, like it's counterpart, it's free!

I'm proud to present AVAST! Professional Edition as a great program for repelling pesky programs and viruses! AVAST! Professional Edition 1 computer $39.95   AVAST! Professional Edition 3 computers $54.95   More than 3 computers     Click here for the Antivirus Store Please click the link for my store for Avast! Antivirus. (UPDATED 2-1-2010) (Please note if you have version 4.x, the new version of Avast, version 5 is out. The store links have been modified to indicate this.) The store link allows you to choose between how many computers you want supported. All versions of Avast Professional 5 include network shield, email shield, file system shield, anti-rootkits, boot time scanning, IM protection, P2P protection, multi computer licenses, and much more! Don't roam anywhere on the internet without protection! Install Avast Professional today!

#1 problem: Malfunctioning or disabled Anti-virus Programs updated 5-27-2009

I don't hesitate to bring this up anymore because it's such a common, dire topic. Many times, a computer's slowdown problem is solved
by removing Norton and McAfee products.

Frequently I find that these programs are installed on machines that cannot handle the burden that these programs demand. If you are running either of these programs, you should have a MINIMUM of 1 GIG of memory. (And don't try to run both at the same time, it negates your antivirus programs altogether!) It is because they are so memory intensive in keeping intruders out, (I call it "the great big octopus with detachable tentacles") that they actually fail because they are taking up too many resources to do the job right. Besides my personals experiences, I have a collection of news stories from Yahoo where
Symantec has been revealed not to notify their customers of dire critical updates to their flawed software, leaving their customers vulnerable.
I have personally seen this happen time and time again. If you think you have this problem, please bring it in for me to fix.


Sadly I must now add AVG to this list of programs to avoid. AVG used to be great, but it does not fully protect against one of the most malicious virus / virus variants out there today : AV2008/AV2009/AV2010 and "Personal Security". To be clear and perhaps to be a little more fair,, AV2009 (The warning on the news page about the FAKE antivirus programs) seems to specifically TARGET AVG and disable it first, then infects the computer in many differing areas. I personally tested this specifically to find out how good the virus protection was on a several computers of my own that then became infected due to this program. AVG unfortunately offered either no protection or inadequate protection. I contacted them but their solution to the problem was to refund me my money, so I can't in good conscience offer a program that doesn't work. The picture to the left is just one of the many pieces of av2009 that AVG missed. (found with AVAST!)

Ok, ... now what?
After scanning your computer with one or more of the above programs, you may still find that your computer is acting slow, or improperly. With recent viruses (see below) they cannot be removed while Windows is running because they are running in the background. A more intensive scan is then required to remove them.
LET ME FIX IT FOR YOU, THE RIGHT WAY!

"I bought a computer that came with Windows XP or Vista, and boy!! Is it SLOW!!" ...
LET ME TUNE IT UP FOR YOU!

ANTIVIRUS 2009 (AV2009)
Antivirus 2009 is a new rogue anti-spyware program. It is also a clone of Antivirus 2008 - also a rogue program, and one that's produced more clones than any other recently. The list of these clones is long: System Antivirus 2008, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, Vista Antivirus 2008, XP Antivirus 2008 etc.

Like any other of it's predecessors, Antivirus2009 uses trojans, such as Zlob or Vundo, to spread. These trojans lurk primarily (but occur elsewhere too) in porn/warez websites disguised as video codecs, and upon entering the system, floods the user with popups and fake system notifications, supposedly to inform you of an infection. While the system at hand may indeed be infected, Antivirus 2009 will inform the user of this regardless of whether it's true or not. The point of this disinformation is to convince the
user they are infected and therefore need an antispyware program to dispose of the threat.

The user might click on one of the popups or notifications, all of which claim they will take him to a legitimate security tool, but try to make you purchase Antivirus2009's "licensed version" instead. Antivirus2009 may redirect web browser to antivirus-premium-scan.com, webscannertools.com, googlescanners-360.com, livesecurityinfo.com, antivirusonlivescan.com, bestantivirusscan.com, antivirus-best.com, internetquarantinesite.com, premiumlivescan.com and secureclick1.com - websites that sell the malware. Most of these websites are not only fraudulent, but they themselves are also malicious. These sites are capable of installing additional malware programs and additional viruses.

Antivirus 2009 is a scam and should be treated as such: do NOT download or buy it.

Eric-Tech - serving your Salem area computer needs!
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