Virus & Malware Removal in Taunton

Scam popups, browser hijacks and real infections — cleared properly, not papered over.

Remote or in person Same-day remote often Evenings & weekends
Diagnosis£25
Remote fixOften
Files keptUsually
TurnaroundSame day

Most of what people call “a virus” in 2026 is not really a virus at all. It is a scam page shouting that your computer is infected and telling you to ring a number, a browser that has been hijacked into a different search engine, or a pile of junk software that arrived alongside something you actually wanted. All three are fixable, and none of them mean the machine is ruined.

The part worth taking seriously is what happened around the infection. If you rang the number, or let somebody take remote control, then the software is the smaller half of the problem — accounts and passwords are the bigger one. I clear the machine, then help you work out what actually needs changing, without the scare tactics the people who caused it were using.

What I Get Called Out For

“Your Computer Is Infected” Popups

A full screen warning, often with an alarm sound and a phone number, sometimes locking the browser. It is a web page, not a virus scan. Nobody legitimate puts a support number in a security warning — and it costs nothing to simply close it.

Browser Hijacks & Search Redirects

Your homepage changed, searches go somewhere you have never heard of, and new toolbars appeared. Annoying rather than dangerous, but it usually travels with tracking extensions worth removing at the same time.

Ransomware & Encrypted Files

Files renamed, a ransom note on the desktop, a countdown. Disconnect the machine and any backup drives immediately. I will be straight with you about what is and is not recoverable rather than promising miracles.

After a Remote Access Scam

Somebody talked you through installing remote software and “fixing” something. I find what was left behind, check what they touched, and help you secure email and banking in the right order — email first, because it resets everything else.

Suddenly Very Slow or Overheating

Fans at full tilt and everything crawling can be crypto mining or adware running in the background — but it is just as often a dying hard drive or a fan packed with dust. Worth diagnosing before assuming the worst.

Prevention Set Up Properly

Once it is clean, I will set up what you already have — Windows Defender is free and genuinely good — and show you the few habits that stop this recurring. I would rather do that than sell you a subscription.

If It Is Happening Right Now

Do not ring the number on the screen. Close the browser; if it will not close, hold the power button until the machine shuts down. That breaks the popup and costs you nothing. If you have already spoken to someone or let them onto the machine, unplug it from the internet, then use a different device to change your email password first and your banking password second. Ring your bank if any card or account details were given. Then call me on 07535 401157 and I will pick it up from there.

Questions I Get Asked

A popup says my computer is infected and gives a phone number. Is it real?
No. Microsoft, Apple and your bank never put a phone number in a browser warning. It is a scam page designed to make you ring a call centre that will ask for remote access and payment. Do not call the number. Close the browser, and if it will not close, hold the power button to shut the machine down. That alone costs you nothing and stops the scam.
I already let someone remote onto my computer. What now?
Treat it as urgent but do not panic. Disconnect the machine from the internet, and from a different device change the passwords for your email and online banking first, since email is what resets everything else. Then ring your bank if you gave any card or account details. Bring me the machine and I will find out what remote software was left behind and what was accessed.
How much does virus removal cost?
It starts at the £25 diagnostic, which is credited towards the work if you go ahead. Most straightforward infections and browser hijacks are dealt with inside a standard clean up. A machine that needs a full wipe and Windows reinstall, with your files preserved and moved back, is a bigger job and I will price that before starting rather than after.
Can you do this remotely, or do you need the computer?
Most infections I can clear remotely over RustDesk, which is usually quicker for you than getting the machine to me. The exceptions are anything that stops the computer booting, or ransomware, where I want the machine physically in front of me. If a remote session shows the job needs hands on it, I will say so.
My files have been encrypted and something is demanding payment. Can you help?
Stop using the machine and disconnect it from your network and any plugged in backup drives, because ransomware spreads to whatever it can reach. I will not promise to decrypt your files, since for most current ransomware that is genuinely not possible without the key and anyone claiming otherwise is misleading you. What I can do is identify the strain, check whether a free decryptor exists, recover what is salvageable, and rebuild the machine safely.
Do I need to buy antivirus software?
For most home users, no. Windows Defender is built in, free and perfectly good, and paid suites often slow the machine more than they help. I would rather set up what you already have properly and show you the handful of habits that actually prevent infections than sell you a subscription you do not need.
Will I lose my files or have to reinstall everything?
Usually not. Most clean ups leave your files, programs and settings alone. Occasionally an infection is embedded deeply enough that a wipe and reinstall is the only genuinely safe option, and if that is the case I will tell you and copy your files off first so nothing is lost in the process.

Get It Cleaned Up

£25 diagnostic, credited towards the work. Often fixable remotely the same day.

📞 07535 401157  ·  📧 JbTecWiz@outlook.com

Get in Touch

Also worth a look: remote support, data recovery, the live threat board, or the main computer repairs page.