Podcast version:
Video Contents
- 00:38 - How would you know that there is a virus on your computer?
- 01:13 - What are some ways that someone could get a computer virus?
- 01:48 - What is the percentage of emails to website visits that would give you a virus?
- 02:42 - What impact has COVID had on the rate of computer virus infection?
- 03:22 - What are some of the best ways to remove a computer virus?
- 03:48 - What are the best ways to prevent a computer virus?
Video Transcript
Ken Lane:
Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Business Solutions Academy by JD Young Technologies. My name is Ken Lane and in this episode, we're going to be addressing some common questions about computer viruses. So, to do that we're speaking with Ken Palmer. Ken is the Manager of Geeks to the Rescue, which is JD Young Technologies' computer repair division, open to the public in Tulsa, down at 61st Memorial in Eton Square. So Ken, thank you for joining us.
Ken Palmer:
Good morning.
Ken Lane:
Starting off, Ken, how would you know that there is a virus on your computer in the first place?
Ken Palmer:
Well, Ken, what we see most common is that the computer will run slow, [have] pop ups, even as far as programs getting hijacked. And it's less malicious than it used to be. More days, it's more about getting your personal info rather than wrecking your computer or trashing your Windows.
Ken Lane:
Okay, good to know. What are some ways that someone could get a computer virus?
Ken Palmer:
The internet. Almost everything bad for your computer will come from the internet. There are other ways that they sneak in. You could find a thumb drive that says "payroll," or something like "financial documents," and somebody will be tempted to plug that into their computer just to grab a quick look. And bam, there you go. You're infected.
Ken Lane:
So, emails and websites you would say? What would you say that is the kind of the over/under percentage of emails to website visits that would give you a virus these days?
Ken Palmer:
Nowadays, the majority is coming in through emails. There are drive-by infections that you can get just from a simple web search, looking for whatever, and you happen to click on the wrong link. And you'll get stuck there while the hacker or bad website just starts infecting your computer. Now, back to the email, phishing is really huge right now. There's not anybody that has had a computer or uses an email service for that [matter] that hasn't fell for that.
Ken Lane:
Goodness. I've heard it's even worse in COVID times where people are falling for different schemes, because everyone's kind of at home more — checking email more often. Have you seen any kind of uptick in computer viruses through phishing through the email?
Ken Palmer:
Yeah, that's right. With the COVID thing going on, and not so much face-to-face conversations, they're relying on digital [communication] — email to get their information or guide them. If you get the wrong email with the wrong guidance. That'll do you in.
Ken Lane:
Goodness gracious. So, what are some of the best ways to remove a computer virus if you think you have one or you know you have one?
Ken Palmer:
Well, Ken, you always want to have an antivirus [program] installed, such as McAfee or Norton. But if you don't have those installed, and you feel like you might be infected, you can go online to their websites, and they all do offer a free online scan now.
Ken Lane:
Okay. So, what are some of the best ways people can keep their computer safe from viruses — preventative measures?
Ken Palmer:
Go ahead and install the suggested Windows updates or Apple's security patches that they recommend. Operating systems, nowadays, they kind of forced themselves just to go on without any interaction from you. But there are times that it will notify you that it does have a security update that it's wanting to install. You need to go ahead and install that just to be safe. And of course, install some antivirus software on your computer if you don't have any.
Ken Lane:
Okay, awesome. Well, thank you, Ken. Thank you for joining us on this episode of Business Solutions Academy from JD Young Technologies. Everyone else, you can learn more about Ken's work with Geeks to the Rescue, you can just visit geekrescue.com. As I mentioned earlier, you can find a full transcript and podcast version of this episode in the description that we'll put down there for similar educational pieces on literally hundreds of business solutions topics, make sure to visit the Resource Center at jdyoung.com/resource-center. If you're watching this on YouTube and learned something or enjoyed yourself, make sure to give this episode a like and subscribe to the Business Solutions Academy. To listen to episodes like this on the go, you can look up Business Solutions Academy from JD Young Technologies on your favorite podcast player. I'm Ken Lane from JD Young Technologies and we'll see you next time.
Ken Palmer:
See you, Ken.
