From scam pop-up to secure again
Most infections now arrive through the browser and the inbox rather than classic viruses: full-screen “your computer is locked” warnings, adware bundled with free downloads, malicious browser extensions, fake invoices with harmful attachments and, at the serious end, ransomware. Tech-support scams deserve a special mention. The warning looks official, the caller sounds confident, and within minutes they can have remote control of your computer, your passwords or a payment. Falling for one is common and nothing to be embarrassed about, and acting quickly limits the damage.
We start by finding out what happened and when, then take the computer offline, remove remote-access tools and malware, clean the browsers and check start-up items, scheduled tasks and extensions by hand rather than trusting a single scan. Once the machine is clean, we harden it: updates, a standard user account for daily use, MFA on your email and banking, and a backup the next problem can’t reach. This suits households and sole traders; businesses with several machines should look at our cybersecurity support.
What we repair
- Scam pop-ups and fake warnings Full-screen alerts, browser notifications and fake “call Microsoft” messages removed, along with the site permissions that keep bringing them back.
- After a scam call Remote-access programs the caller installed are found and removed, and we walk you through passwords, contacting your bank and reporting.
- Malware, adware and unwanted programs Several scanners plus a manual review of start-up entries, services and scheduled tasks, so nothing is left to reinstall itself.
- Browser clean-up Hijacked search engines, rogue extensions and changed home pages cleaned out of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, including synced settings that would bring them back.
- Ransomware first response Help isolating the affected machine, preserving the ransom note, and checking what was encrypted and what your backups can restore.
- Account recovery Help regaining access to a hijacked email or social media account, then turning on multi-factor authentication once you’re back in.
- Security hardening Updates, built-in protection checked, a standard user account for daily use, a password manager and MFA where it matters.
- Remote or in person If the computer still starts and can be trusted to connect, the clean-up can happen over a remote session; otherwise, bring it in.
Prices
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis and written quote | Free |
| Malware clean-up and hardening | From $99 |
| Remote clean-up session | $45 per 30 minutes |
| Scam-call clean-up and security check | Quoted after diagnostic |
| Ransomware assessment | Quoted after assessment |
Prices are in CAD and confirmed in your written quote before any work begins. 90-day workmanship warranty on every repair, with parts covered by their manufacturer’s warranty.
Common questions
I let a scammer onto my computer. What should I do now?
Disconnect from the internet, then uninstall any remote-access program they had you install. If you shared card details or logged into banking during the call, phone your bank using the number on your card. Change your email password first from a different device, then other accounts, and file a report with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. We can check the computer for anything left behind.
Does Microsoft or Apple ever call about a virus on my computer?
No. Neither company phones people out of the blue about infections, and real security warnings never include a number to call. If a pop-up locks your screen, close the browser (Task Manager on Windows, Force Quit on a Mac) or restart. We’re an independent service, not affiliated with Microsoft or Apple, and we never make unsolicited support calls either.
My files are encrypted and there’s a ransom note. What should I do first?
Unplug the network cable or switch off Wi-Fi, and disconnect any external or backup drives so they aren’t encrypted too. Don’t wipe the computer, run random tools or pay before getting advice. Photograph the ransom message. Then contact us right away and say it’s ransomware (we treat it as same-day urgent), and we’ll work out what was hit, what your backups can restore and how to report it.
Can malware be removed without bringing my computer in?
Often, yes. If the computer starts normally and can get online, we connect through a remote session you start yourself, and you can watch every step on screen. Heavy infections, ransomware, or a machine a scammer may still control are better handled in person, so the computer can be checked offline.
How do I stop my computer getting infected again?
Keep Windows or macOS and your browser updating automatically, and use a standard account for everyday work so system changes need an admin password. Turn on MFA for email and banking, use a password manager, and remove browser extensions you don’t recognize. Keep a backup that isn’t permanently connected. We can set all of this up with you after a clean-up.