Virus & Pop-Up Removal in San Antonio
Pop-ups that won't go away, fake 'Microsoft' warnings telling you to call a number, weird browser redirects. I'll clean it up and show you what to watch for.
Open Mon–Fri 8–7, Saturday 9–5. House calls all over Bexar County.
Most “viruses” I see these days aren’t really viruses. They’re scams that trick people into installing the bad stuff themselves, or into handing over remote control of the computer. Either way, the cleanup is straightforward, and the more important part is what you do next.
What this usually looks like
- A full-screen pop-up with a beeping alarm: “Your computer is infected. Call Microsoft at 1-800-…”
- Browser redirects: you search Google and end up on a site you didn’t click
- Pop-ups that you can’t close, or that come back every time you open Chrome
- A scam caller who said they were “from Apple” or “from your bank” and asked you to install something, usually AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer
- A computer that ran fine yesterday and is now crawling, with an unfamiliar icon in the system tray
- Random charges on your card after you “renewed your antivirus” with someone who called you
If you let someone remote in
This happens to good, smart people every week. Don’t panic, but call me sooner rather than later. The two things to do today:
- Unplug the computer from the internet (pull the Ethernet cable, or turn off the Wi-Fi)
- Change the password on your bank, email, and any account where you saved card details, from a different device, like your phone
Then I’ll come over and clean the machine, look for what they installed, and walk you through what they likely saw.
What I don’t do
I don’t sell you a yearly antivirus subscription. For most people on Windows, the built-in Windows Defender is fine. Paid antivirus often does more harm than good. If you’re on a Mac, you almost never need one. The thing that protects you isn’t software; it’s knowing what the scams look like, and I’ll show you.
House calls
This is the job I get called out for the most, especially for parents and grandparents. I come to you so you don’t have to unplug everything. Free diagnosis, $129 flat, 30-day guarantee. See the full price list.
While I’m out, I can also help with slow Wi-Fi or recover anything important off the old machine before we start fresh. And if the computer has other problems, general computer repair is most of what I do.
Common questions
- How much does virus removal cost?
- $129 flat, at your house in Bexar County, Boerne or Schertz. That covers removing the malware or scam software, resetting your browsers, and telling you which passwords to change. Diagnosis is free and the work has a 30-day guarantee.
- Can I remove a virus myself?
- Sometimes. For pop-ups and browser junk, uninstall programs you don’t recognize, remove unfamiliar browser extensions, and run a full scan with the built-in Windows Security. If a scammer had remote access, or the problems come back after you clean them, call me. Scammers often leave software behind that a scan won’t flag.
- Is the "call Microsoft" pop-up real?
- No. Microsoft and Apple never put a phone number in a warning on your screen. The pop-up is a web page made to scare you into calling. Close the browser, or restart the computer if it won’t close, and don’t call the number.
- What should I do if I let a scammer onto my computer?
- Disconnect the computer from the internet, then change the passwords for your bank, email and any account with saved card details from a different device, like your phone. Call your bank if you paid them anything. Then call me and I’ll clean the computer and find what they installed.
- Do I need to pay for antivirus?
- For most people, no. Windows Security, which comes with Windows, is enough on a PC, and most Mac owners don’t need antivirus at all. I won’t sell you a subscription.
- Can Macs get viruses?
- Yes, though it’s less common. On Macs I usually find adware, browser hijackers and scam software that someone was tricked into installing. I clean Macs the same way and for the same price.
Get in touch
Easiest way is to just call or text. I’ll get back to you the same day.
- Phone
- (210) 960-3260 (texts welcome)
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8a – 7p
Saturday 9a – 5p
Sunday by appointment - Service area
- I come to you anywhere in greater San Antonio: Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Boerne, Schertz, Helotes, Leon Valley, Southtown, Castle Hills, Universal City, and most of Bexar County.