Virus & Malware Removal Austin TX
Pop-ups, browser hijackers, fake security alerts, ransomware, mystery toolbars — we clean it all and harden your machine so it doesn't happen again. PC Genie removes infections without wiping your files.
- Virus & malware cleanup
- Ransomware assessment
- Machine hardening included
- Files preserved
- Prevention advice
How Malware Actually Gets On Your Computer
Most people think they're careful online. And most of them are right — until one wrong click. Malware doesn't always come from shady websites. It comes from clicking a fake "Update Flash Player" prompt, downloading a "free" PDF converter, opening an email attachment that looked legitimate, or even visiting a trusted website that's been compromised with malicious ads.
The infection itself is just the beginning. Some malware steals passwords. Some encrypts your files and demands a ransom. Some quietly runs in the background mining cryptocurrency, slowing your machine and running up your electric bill. And some just makes your computer barely usable with endless pop-ups and browser redirects.
At PC Genie, we see these infections daily. We know how to identify what's running on your system, remove it completely (not just the visible symptoms), and then harden your machine against repeat infections.
Types of Infections We Remove
Browser Hijackers and Adware
Your homepage changed without your permission. Your search engine redirects to something you've never heard of. New tabs open to advertising sites. Toolbars appeared that you didn't install. These are browser hijackers and adware — the most common infections we see. They're annoying, they slow your machine, and they can expose you to worse infections.
We remove them from every browser on your system (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari), clean up the registry entries and scheduled tasks they leave behind, and reset your browser settings to a clean state.
Fake Security Alerts and Tech Support Scams
Your screen shows a scary message claiming your computer is infected and you need to call a phone number immediately. Or a pop-up locks your browser and plays an alarm sound. These are social engineering scams designed to trick you into calling a fake support number and paying hundreds of dollars for "repair" that either does nothing or installs more malware.
If you've already called the number and given them remote access, bring your computer in immediately. They may have installed legitimate remote access tools that let them reconnect later, or they may have installed actual malware during the session.
Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts your personal files — documents, photos, spreadsheets — and demands payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for the decryption key. We can remove the ransomware infection itself, but whether your files can be decrypted depends on the specific variant. Some older variants have known decryption keys. Newer ones often don't.
We'll assess your situation honestly. If your files are recoverable, we'll recover them. If they're not, we'll tell you that too, rather than string you along.
Rootkits and Persistent Threats
Rootkits hide deep in your operating system, sometimes below the level that normal antivirus software can detect. They can survive reboots, reinstalls (in rare cases), and normal cleanup procedures. These require specialized removal tools and techniques, and sometimes a clean OS installation is the only reliable option.
We always try to clean the infection while preserving your data. If a reinstall is necessary, we back up your files first and migrate them back to the clean system.
Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)
Not quite malware, but not quite legitimate either. These are the bundled programs that come with free software downloads — browser toolbars, system "optimizers," unnecessary startup programs that slow your boot time and nag you to buy a premium version. We remove them all and clean up what they've changed.
Machine Hardening — Prevention After Cleanup
Removing the infection is only half the job. If your machine is in the same state it was in before the infection, it'll just happen again. After every virus removal, we harden your system:
- Update Windows and all installed software to patch known vulnerabilities
- Configure Windows Defender or recommend a reliable free antivirus
- Remove unnecessary startup programs that slow your machine
- Check browser extensions and remove anything suspicious
- Set up an ad blocker to reduce exposure to malicious ads
- Give you practical advice on what to click and what to avoid
We don't sell antivirus software. We recommend free options that work well and don't nag you with upsells.
Malware symptoms we see daily.
If your computer is doing something it shouldn't, call us. We'll tell you what's going on and what it'll take to fix it.
Virus removal that actually works.
We don't just run a scan and call it done. We verify the infection is completely removed, then harden your system so it stays clean.
Virus removal process
Here's what happens when you bring an infected machine to PC Genie.
Drop-off
Bring your computer to either Austin location. Tell us what's happening — pop-ups, slowness, weird behavior — so we know where to start.
Scan & identify
We run multiple scanning tools and manually inspect your system to identify every infection, not just the obvious ones.
Clean & verify
We remove all infections, clean up residual registry entries and scheduled tasks, and verify the system is clean.
Harden
We update your OS and software, configure security settings, remove bloatware, and set up basic protections.
Pickup
Pick up your clean machine. We walk you through what we found, what we did, and how to stay safe going forward.
Standard PC/laptop diagnostics are $50 (gaming PCs $99) and virus/malware removal labor starts at $99/hr. Most infections are cleaned in 1-2 hours. We include basic machine hardening at no extra charge.
Common signs include unexpected pop-ups, browser redirects, slow performance, programs opening on their own, fake security alerts, new toolbars you didn't install, and your antivirus being disabled. If something feels off, it probably is.
We can remove the ransomware infection itself. Whether your encrypted files can be recovered depends on the specific variant. Some older variants have known decryption keys. Newer ones often don't. We'll assess and be honest about your options.
Our goal is always to preserve your data. We remove the infection without wiping your files. In rare cases where a clean OS reinstall is the best option, we back up your data first.
After cleanup, we harden your machine — updating software, configuring Windows security, removing unnecessary startup programs, and advising on safe browsing. We recommend reliable free antivirus if you don't have one.
Yes. Macs can get adware, browser hijackers, and malware too. We clean macOS infections and configure built-in security features to reduce future risk.
Other services you might need.
Call us about virus and malware removal.
Describe the symptoms — pop-ups, slowness, weird behavior. We'll tell you whether to bring it in and what to expect.