Chances are what you are actually seeing is a fake Chrome or Safari popup which was installed when you clicked "Allow Notifications" on one of those news or social media websites. This injects a piece of code into your browser which allows them to send notifications every few minutes to your device saying you have a virus or ransomware. Clicking the notification takes you to their website where they try and sell you some antivirus or get you to install an actual virus. 

This is not a virus per say, it's adware and can be quickly removed - give us a ring! Many people believe their antivirus isn't doing it's job so go out and buy another $400 antivirus which also doesn't find the fake popups as it's stored within your browser settings. This can be annoying but can be easily avoided in future by declining all those notifications that ask to be installed. Antivirus should also not cost $400 and is not worth it!

If you're buying a new computer we always recommend to decline any antivirus upsells  at the time of purchase- these can add $100s of dollars to the price of your laptop or PC. Norton and McAfee are two of the most popular household names, because they are upsold at big box retailers as they offer sales reps a huge commission on each sale. There are many more cheaper antivirus products out there that offer the same level of protection at a fraction of the cost. 

If you want to save money, decline the upsell and then buy antivirus when you're at home. 

Antivirus software is a security tool designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware, including viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malicious programs that can compromise your data and system. With the increasing number of online threats, antivirus software acts as a critical defence layer to protect your personal information, prevent system slowdowns, and avoid costly repairs caused by malware attacks.

Antivirus software works by scanning your system's files, applications, and network traffic for known malware signatures, which are unique identifiers of malicious programs. It also employs heuristic analysis to identify new, previously unknown threats by observing suspicious behaviour or code patterns. When a threat is detected, the software can quarantine, block, or remove the malware to prevent it from causing harm.

Antivirus software typically updates its virus definitions — the database of known malware signatures — multiple times a day. These updates ensure that the software can recognise and defend against newly discovered threats. 

In addition to signature updates, many antivirus programs use cloud-based technologies for even faster responses to emerging malware. Some even have teams of employees working around the clock to identify new threats and push out new definitions and signatures to your devices in real time.

While antivirus software does run in the background to scan for threats, most modern solutions are designed to be lightweight and have minimal impact on system performance. Scans can be scheduled to run during times when you're not using your computer, and real-time protection has been optimised to work efficiently without causing noticeable slowdowns. If there is any impact, it's generally small and outweighed by the security benefits.

However it's a well known fact that installing two antiviruses on top of each other can cause major issues for your device. Do not install two antiviruses. Remove the first, then install the second. Even if your device came with a free trial for Norton or McAfee - remove this, then install the new one you'd like. 

Yes, you still need antivirus software even if you have a firewall. A firewall helps prevent unauthorised access to your network but doesn't scan for or remove malware that may already be on your system. Antivirus software, on the other hand, focuses on detecting and eliminating malware, providing a complementary layer of security alongside your firewall.

Microsoft Defender is the best example of a firewall that also offers basic antivirus protection. Most people only use Microsoft Defender but having an extra layer of security for downloading, emails and checking system files can ensure you remain safe when online. For small business customers a service such as Defender + Malwarebytes Threatdown, Bitfender or Huntress is a good combination.

Yes, antivirus software can detect and remove malware that has already infected your system. During a full system scan, it searches for existing threats, quarantines them, and either deletes or repairs affected files. However, some more advanced malware, such as rootkits, may require specialised tools or assistance from an IT professional to fully remove.

There are many different types of malicious attacks in the world of computing. Here are some of the most common ones:

Malware: This is a broad category that includes viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. These harmful pieces of software can delete files, steal personal information, or even take over a computer's functions.

Phishing: In a phishing attack, the attacker pretends to be a trusted entity to trick a victim into providing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. This is often done through deceptive emails or websites.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: In this type of attack, the attacker secretly intercepts and potentially alters the communication between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: In these attacks, the attacker overwhelms a system, network, or website with traffic to render it inaccessible to users.

SQL Injection: This type of attack involves the insertion of malicious SQL code into a database query. The attacker can use this to view, modify, or delete the data in the database.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): In an XSS attack, malicious scripts are injected into trusted websites, which then run in the user's browser. The attacker can use this to steal information or perform actions on behalf of the user.

Zero-Day Exploits: These attacks take advantage of software vulnerabilities that are unknown to the software's creators. Because there's no patch available, these vulnerabilities can be exploited until they are discovered and fixed.

Ransomware: This type of malware encrypts the user's data and demands payment in return for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks have been particularly common and damaging in recent years.

Credential Stuffing: In these attacks, the attacker uses stolen account credentials (usernames and passwords) to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This is made possible by the common practice of users reusing passwords across multiple accounts.

Drive-by Downloads: These attacks involve downloading malicious software onto a user's device without their knowledge, often just by visiting a compromised website.

This is not an exhaustive list, and new types of attacks are being developed all the time as technology evolves and new vulnerabilities are discovered. The best defence is to stay informed about the latest threats and to practice good cybersecurity hygiene, such as using strong, unique passwords, keeping software up to date, and being careful about what you download and which websites you visit.