Pop-up ads are appearing on my desktop
If you’re not running your Web browser and are still getting pop-up ads
on your desktop, you’ve most likely installed adware—a program that
displays unwanted ads. Although benevolent adware exists, most of the
time adware is up to no good. Getting rid of it isn't easy. “There’s a
ton of little system-utility tools out there that promise to clean up
everything, with names like PC Speed-up, PC Speed Pro, PC Speedifier,” Certified Technician says. “A lot of times those programs are not going
to do much. Some programs will work, others are snake oil.”
If you’re not running your Web browser and are still getting pop-up ads on your desktop, you’ve most likely installed adware—a program that displays unwanted ads. Although benevolent adware exists, most of the time adware is up to no good. Getting rid of it isn't easy. “There’s a ton of little system-utility tools out there that promise to clean up everything, with names like PC Speed-up, PC Speed Pro, PC Speedifier,” Certified Technician says. “A lot of times those programs are not going to do much. Some programs will work, others are snake oil.”
Avoid
downloading programs that offer to speed up your PC or clean up your
registry. Instead, use a trustworthy adware scanner like the free
version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware tool.
Running a full scan with credible antivirus software is your first step.
If that program doesn’t find and remove the adware, turn to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free,
a great utility for removing all types of malware. Just make sure to
disable your standard antivirus software before running it.
“Multiple antivirus programs working at the same time will often result
in problems,” Falcon Northwest’s Petrie says. “You only want one active,
real-time antivirus scanner installed, but it doesn’t hurt to run an
additional ‘on demand’ virus or malware scanner.”
Searching online for the name of the advertised product can sometimes
yield solutions from fellow victims. If all else fails, there’s always
the nuclear option: a complete system reinstall. It might take a long
time, but it’s the only surefire way to remove adware or spyware.
Remember to back up all your personal files
Running a full scan with credible antivirus software is your first step. If that program doesn’t find and remove the adware, turn to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free, a great utility for removing all types of malware. Just make sure to disable your standard antivirus software before running it.
“Multiple antivirus programs working at the same time will often result in problems,” Falcon Northwest’s Petrie says. “You only want one active, real-time antivirus scanner installed, but it doesn’t hurt to run an additional ‘on demand’ virus or malware scanner.”
Searching online for the name of the advertised product can sometimes yield solutions from fellow victims. If all else fails, there’s always the nuclear option: a complete system reinstall. It might take a long time, but it’s the only surefire way to remove adware or spyware. Remember to back up all your personal files
Google doesn’t look right
Browser hijackers are a particularly nasty breed of malware. Such
programs take over your Web browser and can stealthily redirect your
Google searches and other queries to fake pages meant to steal your
personal information or to further infect your system.
Running a real-time antivirus utility is the best way to stay safe. If
your browser has already been hijacked, uninstall the browser and use
your antivirus program in conjunction with Malwarebytes to remove the
intruder.
Browser hijackers are a particularly nasty breed of malware. Such programs take over your Web browser and can stealthily redirect your Google searches and other queries to fake pages meant to steal your personal information or to further infect your system.
Running a real-time antivirus utility is the best way to stay safe. If your browser has already been hijacked, uninstall the browser and use your antivirus program in conjunction with Malwarebytes to remove the intruder.
My Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting
Spotty wireless connections can be a puzzler. Is it your computer? Your
router? Your ISP? Try a few things before calling your Internet service
provider.
Spotty wireless connections can be a puzzler. Is it your computer? Your router? Your ISP? Try a few things before calling your Internet service provider.
Confirm
that your computer is within range of your wireless router. Weak
signals mean weak connections. Next, make sure your PC’s wireless card
has the latest drivers. Try letting Windows troubleshoot for you by
right-clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and selecting Troubleshoot problems.
I keep seeing ‘There is a problem with this website’s security certificate’
Sometimes the biggest problems have the easiest fixes. According to
support technicians, the lion’s share of issues are due to an incorrect
system clock.
Sometimes the biggest problems have the easiest fixes. According to support technicians, the lion’s share of issues are due to an incorrect system clock.
Website
security certificates sync up with your computer’s clock. Old computers
in particular run the risk of having a dead CMOS battery—the watch
battery in your computer that keeps its system clock ticking. Click the
clock in the system tray and select Change date and time settings to correct any issues.
My printer won’t print
Let’s assume that your printer’s drivers are up-to-date, and that it has
enough paper and ink or toner to print. Try turning the printer off and
on. Unplug the printer and plug it back in. Check your printer’s print
queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and
double-clicking it. The print queue shows you the status of each job as
well as the general status of your printer.
Let’s assume that your printer’s drivers are up-to-date, and that it has enough paper and ink or toner to print. Try turning the printer off and on. Unplug the printer and plug it back in. Check your printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and double-clicking it. The print queue shows you the status of each job as well as the general status of your printer.
Ensure
that ‘Use Printer Offline’ isn’t checked. Sometimes, printing while your
printer is turned off can cause Windows to set your printer to work
offline, and that can stall jobs sent later.
I can’t open email attachments
If you have ever encountered an attachment that you couldn’t open, it
was probably because you didn’t have the software necessary to view the
file.
If you have ever encountered an attachment that you couldn’t open, it was probably because you didn’t have the software necessary to view the file.
The
usual suspect is the .pdf file, for which you can download a free PDF
reader. If your problem involves a different file format, a quick search
on the attachment’s file extension (the three letters after the period
in the filename) should tell you what type of program you need. If the
attachment lacks a file extension (which might happen if it was
renamed), adding it back should set things right.
My favorite program isn’t working on my new PC
Before you call tech support, make sure that the software you’re trying
to run is compatible with your operating system. Older software might
not function on Windows 8, and an app created for Mac OS X definitely
won’t run on your Windows PC. A 32-bit program might run on your 64-bit
operating system, but it doesn’t work the other way around.
Before you call tech support, make sure that the software you’re trying to run is compatible with your operating system. Older software might not function on Windows 8, and an app created for Mac OS X definitely won’t run on your Windows PC. A 32-bit program might run on your 64-bit operating system, but it doesn’t work the other way around.
If an
online game balks, you might be missing the required plug-ins—Java and
Flash are the usual culprits. Most browsers will alert you to install
these items if necessary.
When to throw in the towel
Falcon Northwest’s Petrie recommends connecting with tech support for
“any problems that you aren’t comfortable addressing personally.” When
in doubt, it’s better to steer clear of voiding a warranty or
potentially damaging your system. “Being aware of your own skill set and
limitations is important,” says Petrie, because “it’s often easy to
make matters worse.” If you think the problem is too complicated, call
up a more knowledgeable friend, or bite the bullet and work with a professional tech support service.
Falcon Northwest’s Petrie recommends connecting with tech support for “any problems that you aren’t comfortable addressing personally.” When in doubt, it’s better to steer clear of voiding a warranty or potentially damaging your system. “Being aware of your own skill set and limitations is important,” says Petrie, because “it’s often easy to make matters worse.” If you think the problem is too complicated, call up a more knowledgeable friend, or bite the bullet and work with a professional tech support service.