While there are some clean-up utilities out there that work very well, typically they work best when coupled with other methods and utilities. Something to note is the malware and virus creators know these utilities exist and will often create fake utilities that will actually infect your computer further if you download and install them. If you want to pursue a clean up on your own you must be very careful what you are downloading and also from where.

Common routes of infection for both malware and virus' include opening unsolicited email attachments; even if you know who the sender is we often recommend looking at the context of the message. For example, if the sender typically only sends joke emails then suddenly sends a message regarding financial topics then we would coach you to contact the sender prior to opening the message and determining if it is legitimate. This rule can obviously become difficult to follow if a sender does not typically send one type of message, in that case we recommend taking a close look at all email prior to opening them and if an attachment asks for permission before opening or asks you to allow specific security changes then always click cancel or no, and immediately delete the message and contact the sender as his / her computer may be compromised and may be trying to send the infection to their contacts. Another method of infection is purely web based, even a simple misspelling of a website name can lead you to a site that will immediately infect your computer, also be careful during searches, when searching the web for something take to time to look closely at the results; make sure before clicking the result contains all major aspects of your search; i.e. if you search for "2007 ford radiator" then the result should contain one or a combination of those words in 1. the title (typically larger print and bold) 2. the body of the result (somewhat of a paragraph structure giving a peek at the page) and 3. the link (found below the body of the result). If any of these do not contain aspects of your search then move onto another result.

First, take a look on your AC adapter (the device that plugs into the wall) check to see if it has an L.E.D. on the square piece; if it appears to have an L.E.D. that is unlit than the issue is likely to be a faulty AC Adapter; Next, check the laptop for a charging indicator (this is typically found in one of three places, first next to the jack where the charger plugs in, second at the front of the laptop where your left or right wrist would sit while typing; if you see a charging indicated than the issue may be more severe, if not than it could be a faulty AC Adapter or the jack where the charger plugs into commonly referred to as the DC Jack. Nextier would be happy to diagnose this issue and provide the needed service for you, just stop on in.

When you pick-up your computer from Nextier after a clean install, you will commonly find that things look a bit different. If backup is requested then we will place a folder on the desktop with your order number and first name last initial, if you open this you will find several folders containing your data i.e. if your order were 0000 and your name is John Doe anything stored prior to the clean install in the "Pictures" folder would now be found by clicking the folder on your desktop Order 0000 John D and then you will see a folder labeled "My Pictures". Another common requirement is to re-install your printer which can be done using the disc that came with your printer (never just search the web for your printer and assume you are getting the required software as this is a common route of infection, Nextier can help via our remote services in most cases if you require assistance. The final item would be third party software for example if you purchased Quickbooks or Photoshop, these are licensed products we cannot reinstall for you, it would have to be done using the provided license you obtained at the time of purchase, again Nextier can help using remote connection or with a housecall if needed.

To change your internet browsers home page within Internet Explorer - Click the gear icon near the top right of the window, then click "internet options", once the window has opened you will see a field labeled "Home Page" in this field erase whatever is there and type the address of the page you would like to be your home page. To change this setting in Google Chrome - Click the three dots near the top right of the window, then choose "Settings" once the page has opened you will see a button labeled "On startup open a specific page or set of pages" select this button and then click "Set Pages", once opened you will have fields where you will enter the address of the page you want to be set as your home page. For Mozilla Firefox - you will press the "alt" key on your keyboard, then near the top left of the window you will see "Tools", from there you will select "Options", once the new windows is opened you will see a field labeled "Home Page", in that field type the address of the page you would like to open when you launch Firefox.

No this is a scam. There are several variants to this, sometimes it will be Microsoft, others times it will be from different computer manufacturers, in any case this is a complete scam in an attempt to connect to your computer and scare you into purchasing a fake service or to lock you out of your computer until you pay what amounts to a ransom. If you are unsure whether to trust a phone call or email give us a call and we will do our best to help.

This is a common misconception, in our experience we found that Antivirus works at approximately %70 - %75. This means roughly 1 out of 4 clicks are essentially unprotected, and with the web what it is today you need to couple Antivirus with scrutiny on your behalf and what we mean by that is when you do a search on the web check all parts of the result before clicking. A search result contains three elements, the main title, the body, and the link or address, look at all three of these prior to choosing which result to click on.