Anti-Virus software is "dead"?

As the owner of local computer repair shop providing solution for all kind of computer related problems for neighbors,
I see a lot of people continuously have computer virus problem on their computers.

Most of the virus infected computers came to me with loaded anti virus program.

The same question I always get from any client catching virus problem on his/her computer is “ how could my computer get virus infection? I have a good anti virus protection!”

Unfortunately, anti-virus software is not perfect.
They guarantee only on certain percentage of known virus filtering only. The percentage is about 45 to 70 percentage.
This is just like the expectation to be able to stay warm in the winter at home when all the doors and windows half opened all the time.

And what about ‘unknown’ virus attack?

The first thing first.
Customers want their computers fixed.
And I can clearly tell the endless repetition they have had.

• The problem computer is fixed on normal condition.
• The owner will be happy with great system performance for a few weeks.
• The computer is getting slower.
• The owner blames himself for similar problems on his/her PC.
• Wonders if it’s better to buy a new computer or fix the same PC again.
• After one more time repair, experience the exact same steps shown above.
• After buying a new PC, still catch the same problem.

Nowadays, most of cyber attackers - bad programs - are installed on the victims’ computers by the owners triggering.
They can be done by typical installation of popular free utility programs such as Flash player, Video players, codecs, P2P programs, and so on.
When owner gives a command to execute a certain process of the software which kills the process of any kind of virus protection software, there is no way to avoid of having the virus infection.

Well, how can we stop the frustrating repetition?
By following the common sense, here is my simple way to stop this stupid repetition.

• First, fix the computer on its top condition.
• I ask the owner to do whatever he/she wants on the computer for 1 week.
• The owner brings the computer back (1 week later), and I checked it to see if any problem makers are on.
• I make the list of the problem makers, remove them.
• The PC is on its top condition once again.
• I let the client know how and why each of the problem makes came on his/her computer.
• I teach the way to avoid of getting same kind of problems.
• I ask the owner to do whatever he/she wants on the computer for 2 weeks to bring it back for another check up and cleaning.
• If any new problems are found, teach the client what to do and what not to do with full list.
• 2 month later from the 2nd follow up service, I perform the final follow up service.
• Since most of the average level users finish their customization of their computers in 2 weeks, this approach allows us to leave all the necessary programs for the owners.
  Only the problem makers are removed from the system.

There are 2 key points here.
The follow up check up and clean up service.
Without this, fixing computer does not last long.
And knowing why and how the client got the problems.
As long as the owner understand what exactly is going on, the chance of getting virus attack can be dramatically reduced.

I hope my writing helps neighbors having the frustrating repetition.

Have a great day! - Gyu from IT Repair Central in Lakewood

• reference:
  http://www.wired.com/2012/03/antivirus/
  http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post--symantec-says-antivirus-software-i...