Word of Mouth Marketing
Get clients to spread your name. There's nothing like a satisfied customer spreading good news about your business.
For every client who refers a new one, offer both a free PC cleaning. (Dust collection inside computers can actually cause system failures. A laptop I examined was rebooting after only a minute; it turned out to have a clump of dust stopping the fan.) To help your customers remember, hand them two free-pc cleaning coupons, each redeemable on a referral. They will serve as reminders.
Provide coupons to your customers, good for one month or less. While they probably won't use them in a month, the limited validity will motivate them to refer you to their friends before the coupons go to waste.
Ask for their email address on your sign-off forms. Right next to their signature, include a line that requests (optional) their email address. Use it with care, of course. Try emailing your clients once every couple months with a valuable discount on a tuneup and security check. This will remind them of your existence, and they will think of you when their friends mention a computer problem.
Recommended Virus Removal Tools
Your virus removal arsenal consists of tools for detecting and removing viruses, spyware and adware, rootkits, keyloggers, and every other nasty program and process known as "malware" (malicious software).
Ultimate Virus Removal Arsenal
The ultimate virus removal arsenal can be downloaded for free. The catch is you have to create and maintain it yourself.
Anti-Virus, Adware, Spyware
- Avast Home - Avast includes rootkit detection abilities. It includes boot-time scanning.
- AVG Free installer - Anti-Virus and Spyware in one, but no rootkit detection in the free version. You might choose to leave this installed on your client's computer if she doesn't already have antivirus software.
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Catches malware that others often miss. Quick.
- SuperAntiSpyware - An up-and-coming malware remover.
- Spybot Search and Destroy - a malware scanner / remover.
- Lavasoft Ad-Aware - another malware scanner / remover.
- Kaspersky - One of the best. Try their free scanner trial.
- Nod32 - Second only to Kaspersky. Get their free trial.
- HijackThis - Unlike the other utilities, this program works by comparing the computer to a clean, spyware-free environment, and shows what's different. Removal is up to you.
- Spyware Doctor - get their free trial; it should be used to confirm that you removed everything, since the free version will not perform removal.
- Virus and Spyware Definitions - in case you travel to areas without Internet access, bring the latest definitions with you (often available as a separate download for each program).
Anti-Rootkit
- F-Secure Black Light - easy to use rootkit scanner. The online scanner includes removal capability.
- GMER - an application that detects and removes rootkits.
- IceSword - A hard-core tool - instructions for use.
- Panda AntiRootkit - Rootkit detection and deactivation.
- Darkspy - test version available (risky).
- Rootkit Revealer - from trusty Windows Sysinternals, this program requires manual interpretation of the results (but you can usually Google for the meaning). Also, it does not perform cleaning - it's a detection-only utility.
- Sophos Anti-Rootkit - Simple detection and removal.
General Utilities
- Process Explorer - a system monitoring utility like Task Manager, only more powerful and helpful with virus removal!
process explorer shows you what's running
- Autoruns - find out what programs run automatically.
- Ultimate Boot CD - This includes as many diagnostic utilities as possible to fit on a single CD. You can't always be sure what's causing the problem (is it malware, faulty RAM, or a bad hard drive)?
These utilities will help you with virus removal practice in your own lab environment. Check the licensing agreements to see how you are permitted to use these tools first.
Create a Virus Removal Lab and Practice… a Lot.
Practice virus and spyware removal on your own systems first! Learn to become a malware removal expert in your own lab environment, and get the confidence and skill to take on the latest threats. Here's what you'll need:
- a Windows XP computer (512 MB RAM P4 recommended)
- internet connectivity
- (optional) a removable hard drive and backup software like Norton Ghost or Acronis
If you have these supplies, the rest are free. Setting up your lab consists of:
- Installing Windows XP
- Creating a Utilities CD
- Backing up Your System
Installing Windows XP is self-explanatory and there are plenty of guides available.
Creating a utilities CD involves finding and installing the latest malware removal tools. See the Utilities CD link on the right.
Backing up Your System with Acronis or Ghost happens after you make absolutely sure you have no personal data on the computer. Get your system in a state where you are ready to load a virus on it, but don't do anything yet before backing up to a removable hard drive.
Now for the fun and danger. It's dangerous because you do not want to be connected to any Network, or you might inadvertently spread the virus to others. That's why you must follow three separate steps:
- Downloading the virus
- Disconnecting from the Network
- Executing the virus
Limewire: the easiest way to catch a virus.
Dowloading the virus can be done using P2P software like Limewire. Typically, a large portion of these files are viruses, especially files labled "keygen". You can use a free scanner like AVG to determine which of your downloads are viruses, and then save and label these samples on a CD or thumb drive (just be careful what you do with them).
Disconnecting from the Network. This means unplugging Ethernet cables, phone cables, and any other networking gear from your computer. Make sure to remove Wireless capability completely. You don't want to get blamed for spreading viruses, or even worse, hosting illegal material as a result of the virus infection.
Executing the Virus. This step is easy - run the really-harmful-virus.exe file on your quarantined lab computer. I recommend working on one virus at a time, so you can learn from your mistakes in a predictable, repeatable environment. If any certain virus gives you trouble, you can learn the best way to remove it, and you'll know which virus is causing you difficulty.
Next, you get to practice:
- Virus Detection
- Virus Removal
Virus Detection. Once you've executed the virus, you might be able to confirm that it is running in a new process is running using Process Explorer, a free tool. Or, if uses rootkit cloaking mechanisms, then you get to explore your rootkit detecting tactics.
Virus Removal. For special virus removal tactics, see the Removal Tactics link on the right.
If your lab computer ever becomes too corrupted, you can restore it to its earlier state using the optional backup software. Alternatively, you can format and reinstall Windows.
Protecting Your Assets
If you live in the U.S., consider incorporating or forming an LLC. I formed an LLC while living in South Carolina for only $100. My gains from this relatively small fee were:
- Personal Asset Protection - I did not have to worry about losing my house and income.
- Business Name Protection- I did not have to worry about someone else stealing my name.
- Tax Advantages - this depends on your own circumstances
- Credibility - If you have "Inc." or "LLC" after your name, this compensates a bit for your small-business image, especially if you are home-based.
Research business insurance.
Finally, get a lawyer-reviewed work signoff agreement form releasing you of liability related to all the potential things that can go wrong while working with computers.
In summary, the following work together in a layered shield against trouble:
- carefully handling of the customer's computer
- your legal business structure
- the paperwork you have your customer sign before touching his computer
- your business insurance
I am not a lawyer, and this does not constitute professional legal advice, so you should seek out a professional lawyer to help with all legal decisions.
Advanced Tips for (Almost) Free Marketing
High frequency is important but costly in advertising. To get the locals aware of your virus removal business on the cheap, create and place an ad in local, non-competing businesses. Some businesses, like my local gym and coffee shop, allow this for free. If the business appears to not normally display brochures and business cards, here is a tactic to gain their valuable advertising-space anyway: step 1 - purchase something small from the small business owner or manager; step 2 - ask them if they would permit you to place a small brochure for your computer business on their counter or windowsill, and in return, offer them a 50% discount for their kindness.
List your website on local search engines and all the other online directories. Free Yellow Pages directory listings (Google for "yellow pages" - there are a lot of them) bring in a lot of clients for me, and cost nothing.
When a client expresses his gratitude, hand him your business card and ask for referrals. If your client feels you did him a favor, that is the time to ask for a return favor.
Whenever you interact with local businesses, hand them your card. Especially when you buy something. Especially when it's the manager or owner.