Laptop Malware & Virus Removal Service

Our Malware Removal Process:

Step 1: Initial Consultation & Symptom Assessment
We discuss what symptoms you’ve noticed (slowness, pop-ups, strange programs, account issues), when problems started, and what you were doing when issues began (downloading something, opening an email, visiting a website). This gives us initial indication of infection type and severity. We ask about recent password changes, whether you’ve noticed unusual account activity, and if you’ve already attempted fixes.

Step 2: Preliminary System Inspection
We boot your laptop and perform quick assessment: check running processes in Task Manager for obvious malware, inspect startup programs for suspicious entries, examine browser extensions and settings for unwanted changes, verify antivirus status and recent scan results. This helps us determine whether infection is surface-level (browser hijacker, adware) or deep system infection (rootkit, advanced malware).

Step 3: Present Options Based on Infection Severity
At this point we explain what we’ve found and present options.

Option A – Quick Removal (Surface-Level Infections):
If infection is limited to browser hijackers, adware, or unwanted programs visible in normal system areas, we can often remove these quickly (1-2 hours). This involves: uninstalling malicious programs, removing browser extensions and resetting browser settings, cleaning startup items and scheduled tasks, running antimalware scans to catch remnants. This is straightforward and cost-effective for simple infections.

Option B – Deep System Cleaning (Advanced Malware):
If infection involves rootkits, advanced malware hidden in system files, or multiple infection types, thorough cleaning is more complex and time-consuming. This requires: booting into Safe Mode or using offline scanning tools, deep malware scans with multiple specialized tools, manual inspection of system files and registry entries, removal of persistence mechanisms malware uses to survive reboots. This work is charged hourly as cleaning time varies significantly (2-6+ hours depending on infection complexity). There’s also risk that deep cleaning may not fully remove all malware traces – some infections embed so deeply that complete removal is uncertain.

Option C – Fresh System Reinstall (Guaranteed Clean Start):
For severe infections, ransomware, or when you want absolute certainty malware is eliminated, we recommend clean Windows installation. This process involves: backing up your personal files (documents, photos, videos, desktop files, browser bookmarks), scanning backed-up data for malware before preserving it, performing fresh Windows installation on formatted drive (completely erasing infection), reinstalling drivers and essential software, restoring your cleaned data to fresh system, applying Windows updates and security patches. Clean reinstall takes 3-4 hours but guarantees no malware remnants and often results in better performance than cleaning infected system. You get fresh start with confidence system is secure.

We’ll explain pros and cons of each option based on your specific infection and help you choose the best approach for your situation and budget.

Pricing Structure:

Malware removal pricing depends on chosen approach and infection complexity.

Quick removal (surface infections): Fixed price for straightforward adware, browser hijackers, unwanted programs removal – typically completed within 1-2 hours.

Deep cleaning (advanced malware): Hourly rate for complex infections requiring extensive scanning and manual removal – time varies by infection severity (2-6+ hours typical).

Fresh system reinstall: Fixed price including data backup, fresh Windows installation, driver installation, and data restoration – typically 3-4 hours total.

During initial assessment we’ll advise which approach suits your situation and provide accurate quote before starting work. Contact Fixfactor at our London locations or call 020 8543 7088 for pricing specific to your laptop’s condition.

Common Questions:

Q: Will my files be safe during malware removal?
A: If we clean your existing system, your files remain in place (though we always recommend backing up important data before any service). If we perform fresh system reinstall, we back up your personal files first, scan them for malware, then restore them to the clean system. However, we cannot guarantee data safety during any hardware or software service. Always maintain your own backups of irreplaceable files (photos, documents).

Q: Can you recover files encrypted by ransomware?
A: Ransomware decryption is extremely difficult. Most ransomware uses strong encryption that’s effectively unbreakable without the decryption key (which only attackers possess). We can check if free decryption tools exist for your specific ransomware variant, but success is unlikely. We do not recommend paying ransom – many victims pay but never receive decryption keys. If you lack backups, ransomware-encrypted files are usually lost permanently. This is why regular backups are critical.

Q: Do I need to change all my passwords after malware removal?
A: Yes, absolutely. After malware removal (whether cleaning or reinstall), change passwords for all important accounts from a known-clean device: email accounts (priority – email controls password resets for other accounts), online banking and financial accounts, social media accounts, shopping sites with saved payment methods, work or business accounts. Use a different computer or smartphone to change passwords initially (don’t use the just-cleaned laptop until passwords are changed), otherwise malware could steal new passwords if remnants remain.

Q: How long does malware removal take?
A: Quick removal of simple infections (adware, browser hijackers): 1-2 hours. Deep cleaning of advanced malware: 2-6+ hours depending on severity. Fresh system reinstall: 3-4 hours including backup, installation, and restoration. We’ll provide time estimate after initial assessment based on what we find.

Q: Will you need my passwords to remove malware?
A: We need your Windows login password to access the system and perform cleaning. We don’t need passwords for email, banking, or other online accounts. If malware has changed your Windows password and you can’t log in, we have methods to reset it (may require clean reinstall if infection prevents password reset).

Q: Is fresh reinstall better than cleaning infected system?
A: Fresh reinstall is more thorough and guaranteed to eliminate all malware. Cleaning infected systems can be effective for simple infections, but advanced malware sometimes leaves hidden remnants that are difficult to detect. If you want absolute certainty malware is gone, or if infection is severe (ransomware, rootkits, multiple infections), reinstall is the safer choice. Reinstall also often improves performance since you’re starting fresh without accumulated software clutter.

Q: Can you install antivirus software after cleaning?
A: Windows 10 and 11 include Windows Defender (built-in antivirus) which provides good protection for most users. We ensure it’s enabled and updated as part of our service. If you want third-party antivirus, we can recommend and install reputable options. However, most home users don’t need additional antivirus beyond Windows Defender if they follow safe browsing practices.

Q: What if malware comes back after removal?
A: If malware returns shortly after removal (within days), it suggests either: incomplete removal (remnants re-infected system), or reinfection from same source (email attachment still in inbox, infected USB drive, compromised website visited again). We’ll investigate and re-clean at no additional charge if it’s incomplete removal on our part. If it’s reinfection from repeated unsafe behavior, that would be a new service. Fresh system reinstall virtually eliminates “malware returning” since we’re starting completely clean.

Q: Do you offer remote malware removal?
A: We prefer in-person service at our London locations for malware removal. Malware often interferes with remote access tools, making remote work difficult or impossible. Additionally, some malware captures remote sessions, potentially exposing your information. For thorough cleaning or reinstall, physical access to your laptop is more reliable and secure. However, for simple issues or follow-up support after in-person service, we can provide remote assistance.

Q: Can you remove malware from business laptops?
A: Yes, but business laptops often have additional considerations: company policies about system changes or reinstalls, need to preserve business software licenses and configurations, requirement for IT department approval or coordination, company data backup procedures that must be followed. If it’s your company laptop, check with your IT department before bringing it for service. For small business owners, we can remove malware while preserving business software and data.

Q: Is my computer at risk if I don’t remove malware?
A: Yes, running an infected computer poses ongoing risks: continued data theft (passwords, documents, photos), account compromise (email, banking, social media hacked), worsening performance (malware consumes resources, may download additional infections), system corruption (eventual Windows failure requiring reinstall anyway), spreading infection to other computers on network or via shared USB drives. If you suspect malware, it should be addressed promptly to prevent escalating damage.

Q: Can malware damage hardware or just software?
A: Malware is primarily software-based and doesn’t typically damage physical hardware components. However, malware can: corrupt Windows installation making system unbootable (fixable with reinstall), cause excessive disk activity that may contribute to drive wear (mechanical hard drives), run CPU/GPU at full load for cryptocurrency mining (generates heat, potentially shortening component life), fill storage completely with junk files (recoverable by cleanup). Physical hardware damage from malware is rare, but system software damage is common.

Important: Account Security After Malware Removal

Malware removal cleans your computer but doesn’t undo damage malware may have already done to your online accounts. After malware removal:

• Change all passwords immediately: Email, banking, social media, shopping accounts – assume all passwords were stolen
• Review account activity: Check email sent folders for messages you didn’t send, review bank transactions for unauthorized charges, check social media posts for content you didn’t create
• Enable two-factor authentication: Adds security layer making stolen passwords less useful to attackers
• Monitor credit/bank accounts: Watch for unusual activity in weeks following infection – malware may have captured financial information
• Notify contacts if necessary: If your email was compromised and sent spam/scam messages to contacts, warn them not to open attachments from your previous emails

We can guide you through password changes and account security steps after cleaning your computer. Your online account security is as important as cleaning the malware from your device.