Question Computer store overcharged me for Malwarebytes cleaning?

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Marplot

Marplot

Commendable
Jan 28, 2022
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My PC Windows 11 slowed down to a stop. I took it to a local store and they told me I was "loaded with viruses." Charged me $195 and installed the free version of Malwarebytes that cleaned out the virus. Told me that I should manually use MB once a week. Seems excessive and not sure how to use MB. I thought that Windows Defender was good to stop virus.
 
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Lots of reasons for "slowed to a stop"....

Loaded with viruses being one reason indeed. Especially if not careful about what websites are visited and what files are downloaded.

= = = =

If Windows Defender did not spot or otherwise flag any issues then running free Malwarebytes is a good alternative for additional checks and security measures.

FYI:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us

Read the support pages and Forums to learn how to run Malwarebytes.

Avoid sketchy websites and risky downloads.

= = = =

It would not be fair on my part to comment on the local store because I do not know details etc..

However, if you feel you have been taken advantage of or otherwise mistreated then seek local assistance as available and applicable.
 
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When you take a computer in for repair, you are paying for expertise (and rent, insurance, payroll), not just the fix. I have been using the paid version of MWB since it cost $10 for a lifetime license. The paid version is real time so it can catch stuff immediately. Defender in a great anti-virus (certainly as good as the overpriced and huge overhead Norton and McAfee) but much of the crap you can pick up on the Internet are not technically viruses, but malware, something MWB is especially good at. The paid version is up to about $40 @ years, but they have offers and sales that are usually half that (if you select auto renewal you are not offered discounts, something to consider). The point being is if your computer was "loaded", you would probably benefit from added security.
 
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"Loaded with viruses" sounds like standard explanation number #23 to me. It's certainly not the first thing that I'd think of for a report of "running slow" but neither is it impossible. If you feel aggrieved then take it up with the store.

BTW. The 'fun build' in your sig. Please do not use mixed RAM the way your sig suggests. RAM should always be bought in kits of matched sticks. If you're wise you'll also check that the RAM is on the QVL for your motherboard and CPU.
 
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I am careful about downloading questionable links. I guess it would be a good idea to get premium Malwarebytes for both computers in my sig.

And change this? PLease advise. I a basically a monkey putting parts together!
Note "BTW. The 'fun build' in your sig. Please do not use mixed RAM the way your sig suggests. RAM should always be bought in kits of matched sticks. If you're wise you'll also check that the RAM is on the QVL for your motherboard and CPU.!
 
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Marplot said:
I am careful about downloading questionable links. I guess it would be a good idea to get premium Malwarebytes for both computers in my sig.
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I would advise against this, there is no need to pay for Internet security these days, WIndows Firewall and WIndows Defender are plenty good enough. The free Malwarebytes scanner (which the shop installed) is very good for running a manual scan now and again.
Marplot said:
And change this? PLease advise. I a basically a monkey putting parts together!
Note "BTW. The 'fun build' in your sig. Please do not use mixed RAM the way your sig suggests. RAM should always be bought in kits of matched sticks. If you're wise you'll also check that the RAM is on the QVL for your motherboard and CPU.!
Click to expand...
If you are not sure what you're doing when building a new PC I suggest you seek advice. You can't just buy a set of random parts and hope they work together. You need to select parts that will work well together and will not create any bottlenecks. You also need to be sure that you're not wasting money buying parts that you can't make full use of.

Buying RAM in a kit (in a pack) is important. Do not mix different RAM sticks.
 
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ubuysa said:
I would advise against this, there is no need to pay for Internet security these days, WIndows Firewall and WIndows Defender are plenty good enough. The free Malwarebytes scanner (which the shop installed) is very good for running a manual scan now and again.

If you are not sure what you're doing when building a new PC I suggest you seek advice. You can't just buy a set of random parts and hope they work together. You need to select parts that will work well together and will not create any bottlenecks. You also need to be sure that you're not wasting money buying parts that you can't make full use of.

Buying RAM in a kit (in a pack) is important. Do not mix different RAM sticks.
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Asking advice. What should I do to sort this out? What parts should I replace?
 
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beyondlogic said:
Full part list ?

Standard to me would be to wipe the drive or replace harddrive with new copy of windows 11 it would have been cheaper then getting smacked with 195 yea you lose everything on pc but that gets any potential viruses malware gone.

I personally use avast anti virus.
And malware bytes
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Do you use Avast and MB with premium svcs?
 
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Marplot said:
My PC Windows 11 slowed down to a stop. I took it to a local store and they told me I was "loaded with viruses." Charged me $195 and installed the free version of Malwarebytes that cleaned out the virus. Told me that I should manually use MB once a week. Seems excessive and not sure how to use MB. I thought that Windows Defender was good to stop virus.
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Virus "cleaning" is bread and butter for stores. Its what keeps most open.

Its an expensive lesson to learn that MB is what you need to run every other month. But now you know and don't need to spend it again.
 
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js2 said:
Virus "cleaning" is bread and butter for stores. Its what keeps most open.

Its an expensive lesson to learn that MB is what you need to run every other month. But now you know and don't need to spend it again.
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It really ticks me off! But they are the best repair shop around. I may still ask them why? How long does it take to run a virus program?
 
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