§ Service

Virus & malware removal done so it doesn't come back

Pop-ups, browser hijacks, ransomware demands — full cleanup, real endpoint protection installed, and the underlying patching gaps closed so the same family of malware can't re-enter through the same hole.

$120/HR STANDARD · FREE ON-SITE ASSESSMENT · FLAT-RATE QUOTES FOR COMMON CLEANUPS

Section A · Why this matters

Most malware comes in through unpatched software, not zero-days.

Cleanup without closing the underlying gap is the single most common reason customers come back two weeks later with the same problem. The malware family is removed, the disk is clean, and then the same Chrome version (or PDF reader, or Java install, or whatever the entry point was) is still six months out of date — and the same family of malware re-enters through the same hole within a few weeks.

The real fix is three steps, in order: remove what's there, install real endpoint protection (not the bundled stuff that came with Windows), and patch the underlying software gap. If you skip step three, steps one and two are a temporary win at best.

Section B · What I actually do

The steps, in order.

Step 01 · Triage

15-minute triage (figure out what's actually wrong)

Before any cleanup runs, I figure out what kind of infection it is. Different malware families need different removal approaches — a browser hijacker is not the same problem as a banking trojan is not the same problem as ransomware. Triage takes 15 minutes and informs everything that follows.

Step 02 · Removal

Full system cleanup (multiple engines, manual persistence sweep)

Boot from rescue media, scan the offline filesystem with multiple AV engines (different engines catch different things), manually remove the registry and scheduled-task persistence mechanisms most automated tools miss, then verify the system boots clean.

Step 03 · Endpoint protection

Real AV installed + configured (not the bundled Defender-only default)

Modern home machines benefit from real-time endpoint protection beyond what Windows Defender alone gives you. I install Malwarebytes Premium (or your existing license if you have one), configure it for daily background scans, and verify it's actually catching things in tests before you take the machine home.

Step 04 · Close the entry point

Patch what let it in (so the same family can't return)

This is the step skipped by most quick-cleanup techs. After identifying the entry point during triage, I update the affected software to current versions — browser, plug-ins, Office, Java if anyone still has it, OS updates. That family of malware can no longer enter through the same door.

Section C · Process & turnaround

What to expect.

Most standard cleanups: same-day or 24-hour turnaround at a free on-site appointment. Free in-county pickup if you'd rather not be home during the work. Ransomware response is case-by-case — depending on what was encrypted, data recovery may be needed before or after cleanup, and the timeline shifts.

You'll get a written summary at pickup: what was found, what was removed, what was patched, and how to spot the warning signs next time.

Section D · Pricing

Honest, hourly, and quoted up-front.

How pricing works

Free on-site assessment for most jobs
$120/hr standard rate
Flat-rate quotes available for common cleanups
Always quoted before work — no surprises
Endpoint protection setup typically included

What "free assessment" means

I come to you (Pinellas County)
No charge for the appointment itself
Honest "is this worth pursuing?" call
You decide whether to proceed
If you don't proceed, you owe nothing

Section E · Common questions

What customers usually ask.

FAQ 01

Will my files be lost during cleanup?

Almost never. The cleanup process targets infected files and persistence mechanisms, not user data. The rare exception is ransomware that encrypted files in place — those need separate recovery and I'll tell you that up front before any cleanup work begins.

FAQ 02

Can you work on-site, or remotely?

Both. On-site (in your home or office) is faster and more thorough for serious infections; remote works for standard cleanups when the machine still boots and connects. Ransomware almost always requires on-site because the infected machine shouldn't be on the network.

FAQ 03

Will my passwords / banking info be safe?

I don't read or copy customer data. The cleanup process is technical — touching registry, files, services — not browsing your documents. That said: after any malware cleanup, the right move is to change passwords for sensitive accounts from a known-clean device, since some malware does steal credentials before being caught.

FAQ 04

Can I just run antivirus myself?

Sometimes — for obvious adware or browser hijackers. But automated tools miss persistence mechanisms, leave traces, and don't address the underlying patching gap. The result is the malware family comes back within weeks. The all-three-steps approach is what stops the recurrence.

FAQ 05

What if the same problem comes back?

Within 30 days of a standard cleanup: I redo the work free. After that, I'd want to understand what changed — usually it means the underlying gap wasn't closed, the user installed something risky again, or a new family entered through a different gap. We'd diagnose before recommending a fix.

Section F · Get in touch

Form, call, or text.

Quote, question, or to book the work — fill out the form, or call/text 727-239-6797 directly.

Virus & malware removal · Computer Medic Repair & Service LLC · Clearwater FL · Updated May 2026