Can Geek Squad Help With Hackers?
Yes. Geek Squad can help remove malware and viruses, which are the common sources of most hacks in computers.
According to research, hacking occurs every 40 seconds somewhere in the globe. If you have been targeted, you need to find ways to fix this. Luckily, Geek Squad can help. Here is more!
Table of Contents
The signs that can tell that your computer is hacked
Hacking can have serious consequences on a computer system. Before you try fixing the problem, you should first ascertain whether the computer has indeed been hacked. Some of the signs that can help you figure this out include the following.
- The computer freezing or slowing down
- Google searches that keep on getting redirected to unfamiliar sites
- Installation of unknown app
- Numerous pop-up ads like fake antivirus warning
- Rogue activity in the system
What to do if you were hacked
If you have noticed most of these signs in your system, do not panic. You should follow the steps below.
Start by resetting your passwords
If you have lots of passwords that you need to reset, start by focusing on email, Facebook, or Instagram. Do not forget to reset passwords on sites that you use your credit card details. Most hackers target not only personal data but also financial data in an attempt to export victims.
You can set passwords that are at least 12 characters long since they are hard to decipher. If you have been using a similar password for different accounts, you should reset them since this can easily grant someone quick access to all of your accounts. When resetting passwords, you can use mnemonics. If you are not good with this, use a password manager to create strong ones that are hard to decipher.
Log out
Once you have reset all your passwords, you should log on to all of your online accounts. Most online accounts are set to log users in automatically. You should log out from the accounts until you have solved the problem.
Remove external hard drives
Ensure that you eject any external drives on the PC and remove them. This includes devices such as USB sticks that you may have connected to the computer. To eject, proceed to the right folder and look for the option labeled eject. You can also remove the computer’s hard drive.
Quarantine the PC
You should also isolate the infected quarantine and disconnect it from the internet. Doing this can ensure that the hacker does not have access to the PC. Unplug the computer from the network. When there is no physical or wireless connection, you can prevent the virus from spreading. Ensure that you turn off all wifi connections both by hardware and software.
Inform others
A hacking attempt can also affect other people in your list of contacts, including family and friends. A hacker can email people in your contact list posing as you. Once you realize that you have been hacked, it is therefore important to contact people you regularly communicate with.
How can Geek Squad help?
If you bought the PC from Best Buy and paid for the Geek Squad protection plan, you can get assistance with such issues. Geek Squad can remove viruses and malware on the computer. It can use an antivirus application to remove the virus.
If you are hacked, you should get in touch with Geek Squad to report the matter. You can either take the computer to a Best Buy store for assistance or ask for on-site assistance. The Geek Squad team will first scan for malicious software then install an antivirus solution. This method does not always help get rid of all infected files, especially if the hacker has encrypted some files.
Geek Squad can also perform a clean install of the Windows to remove the virus more effectively. This method can get rid of all the files from the hard drive. It can utilize a certain program to wipe the hard drive.
If you don’t know how to handle a hacked computer but have been paying for the Geek Squad protection plan, do not hesitate to reach out to this service provider. Geek Squad can also help you recover lost data.
How to avoid this issue
Once Geek Squad gets your device up and running smoothly again, you should take certain measures to minimize the risk of getting hacked. Never leave your PC unattended in public. It takes minutes for a hacker to get access to personal information.
Apart from that, you should also back up your files. You can either do this by storing sensitive files on the cloud or on external hard drives. Your firewall should be well configured. This can block any communication between your server and any other. It can therefore prevent you from getting hacked in the future.
What you should know regarding getting hacked
The signs that can show you have been hacked | What you should do when hacked | How Geek Squad can help |
|---|---|---|
An unfamiliar installed app | Reset the passwords | It can scan your PC for viruses and malware |
Suspicious ads that keep on popping up | Log out of your accounts | Geek Squad can remove the virus or malware in the computer |
Google searches that keep on redirecting to unintended sites | Remove hard drives | It can also wipe the hard drive to get rid of all infected files |
The computer freezing or slowing down | Quarantine the PC | It can also help you recover data |
Conclusion
Being a victim of a computer hack can be quite devastating. Hackers use different techniques to try and gain access to your personal information. If you have been hacked, you can get help from Geek Squad. Also, do not ignore the measures we have highlighted above since they can help.
FAQs
Can I protect myself from hackers?
Yes. Though cybercrimes are a threat, you can prevent yourself from being a victim by practicing cyber security hygiene.
Can Geek Squad help when my computer fails to power on?
Yes. Geek Squad can help fix such computer-related problems. You only need to report the issue and make the computer available for repairs.
