Cleaning an infected computer properly means more than running one scanner. We remove the infection, repair what it broke, and lock things down so it doesn't come right back.
We don't just run a single free scanner and hand the machine back. A proper cleanup at our bench includes a full malware sweep with multiple professional-grade tools, removal of rootkits and persistent startup items, browser cleanup and reset of hijacked settings, repair of damaged system files, installation of pending security updates, and a working antivirus setup if yours has lapsed. Before the machine goes home we verify it boots clean and stays clean across restarts — many infections survive a lazy cleanup, which is why "it came back a week later" is such a common story.
If your files are suddenly locked and something is demanding payment, shut the computer down and don't pay anything yet. Some ransomware looks scarier than it is, occasionally backups can be pulled from unexpected places, and paying rarely guarantees anything. The sooner the machine is off the network, the better. Bring it in or call us and we'll assess it honestly — including telling you when recovery isn't realistic.
The "Microsoft technician" phone call, the fake bank-security pop-up with an 800 number, the gift-card "refund" scheme — these hit Watertown area folks every week, and the callers are convincing. A rule worth memorizing: Microsoft, your bank, and the IRS do not call you about your computer, and no legitimate company wants payment in gift cards. If you gave a scammer remote access to your machine, bring it in — we'll check what they did, remove their tools, and help you secure your accounts.
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bench diagnostic (applied toward cleanup if you proceed) | from $45 |
| Standard virus & malware removal with system repair | $90 – $150 |
| Heavy infection / rootkit requiring Windows rebuild (data preserved) | $130 – $180 |
| Post-scam security check & account hardening session | $75 – $120 |
If the infection has damaged Windows beyond reasonable repair, a rebuild with your files preserved is often the cleanest route — we'll tell you which situation you're in before charging for either.
For a light adware problem, sometimes yes. But once a machine is genuinely compromised, cleanup tools run from inside the infected system often miss the deeper components. If a free scan didn't fix it, or the problem keeps returning, that's the point to bring it in.
If the machine was infected — especially if you bank or shop on it — yes, and we'll walk you through which passwords matter most. Do it from a clean device, and turn on two-factor authentication on email and banking while you're at it.
Keep Windows and your browser updated, don't click links in unexpected emails or texts, be skeptical of any pop-up that creates urgency, and keep a real backup of anything you'd hate to lose. We'll set up sensible protections as part of the cleanup.