Computers are storehouses of every business’s most important files. From sales transactions and market data, to logistical and financial reports, computers house every business’ important files. This is why computer virus infestation can cause major setbacks in productivity, not to mention risk information safety. Keeping your network virus free can become quite difficult and expensive, but the consequences are far greater without adequate anti-virus protection and small business computer support.

malware removal Zimmerman MN

Signs of a malware attack

Common software issues like corrupted files and program execution errors are usually mistaken as virus-related symptoms, so you should be able to distinguish between the two. Here are some signs your computer may have a virus:

  • appearance of strange graphics on the screen;
  • system makes unusual sounds;
  • disappearance of a file or files;
  • change in file sizes;
  • peripheral devices undetected;
  • slow loading times;
  • commands don’t work;
  • inability to boot, etc.

How viruses infect computers

Malicious software and the crooks that make them proliferate in the Internet, attempting to intrude upon any protected system in their radar. So, it’s important that everyone in your business who has access to computers take precaution when opening suspicious emails and exchanging confidential information in chats. Obviously, browsing and downloading unsafe websites should be avoided. Moreover, viruses can also enter your computer systems through floppy disks, CDs, USB thumb drives, the internet, and even computer networks.

Business loss due to viruses 

The pronounced effect of a virus is data loss. When potent enough, a virus can wipe your hard drives clean, shut down your network, and even attack computers of partners and clients who connect to you. Worse, it can spread the information across the web too, leading to a costly data breach liability.

Comprehensive anti-virus software doesn’t come cheap, but so is information loss and lawsuits.  Unless your company doesn’t store business critical data in your computers, you’ll need a good virus protection to protect your databases and documents. Furthermore, if you don’t have an in-house IT department to ward off attacks and perform regular inspection, it would be smart to hire a reliable Minneapolis IT support like RB’s Computer Service. 

Beware of tech support rip-offs

Remote Support is a Windows program that allows a technician to service a computer even from a distant location. Through this, he can teach you how to troubleshoot or perform the cleanup himself. This means, he can actually control your computer and gain access to your files and programs. This also means that you have to be wary who you allow to access your computer. Scammers usually disable computer functions or plant real viruses so you’ll have to pay to fix it. Worse, they may even steal your files. Bottom line is you must know who’s at the other end of the line. 

Sources
Consequences for Companies Not Having Virus Protection, SmallBusinessChron.com
What to Do If You Get a Virus on Your Computer, HowToGeek.com