StopSign Internet Security Blog

If you’ve ever been hit with a computer virus, you know that the actual act of the virus removal isn’t always the easiest part of the process. In fact, it can be the longest, most time-consuming portion of dealing with the removal of an infection, depending on your security software and the nature of the malware that takes up residence in your PC.

Any decent antivirus product will clean you out pretty well, but every now and again a particularly nasty infection rears it’s ugly head and there are leftovers that, at best, clutter up your PC and at worst re-infect your computer. It’s enough to make your head explode.

Why Virus Removal is Important

That’s why the actual virus removal is such an integral part of the antivirus process. Making sure that the threat is identified is only one aspect; an entirely different, and equally important, part is cleanly, efficiently, and quickly removing all traces of the infection. The last thing you want happening is to have any remaining bits of malware cluttering up your computer once its been removed.

The StopSign Difference

At StopSign we pride ourselves on making sure that we not only find the infections, but that we clean and remove the viruses and other infections from your PC as well as possible. StopSign makes virus removal easy with 3 simple steps that anyone, and I mean anyone can follow:

1. Install StopSign:

   Download the StopSign threat scanner and install it on your computer.

2. Run StopSign:

   Once installed, run StopSign. At the end of your scan you’ll get a set of Scan Results that will tell you if any viruses or other infections were found. If you need help getting up and running you can check out our online StopSign help files or contact the StopSign support staff.

3. Check Your Results:

   Review your Scan Results and see if you have any issues. If nothing was found, great; you’ve got a clean computer. But if something was found and you’re a StopSign member, it was most likely taken care of automatically, and if it wasn’t, then removal of the infection is a simple matter of clicking a button requesting a Custom Cure™ which is a free service for active StopSign members where we remove persistent and/or “zero day” infections at no additional charge. Most other Internet security companies charge $80 or more per incident to remove those infections.

   If you’re not a StopSign member, visit our shopping cart and choose the best option for you. You’ll not only get all updates for free during the course of your active membership, but you’ll also be eligible for free Custom Cures any time you need them.

Find out why you should skip the status quo and give StopSign a try. We’re different, and that difference makes us better.

The month of October 2010 is the 7th annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) here in the United States. Internet (cyber) security continues to be at the forefront of our minds as we push further into the 21st century, and once again President Obama has made a presidential proclamation regarding the need for increased cybersecurity:

America’s digital infrastructure is critical to laying the foundation for our economic prosperity, government efficiency, and national security. We stand at a transformational moment in history, when our technologically interconnected world presents both immense promise and potential risks. (Read more)

We all have a part in taking cybersecurity seriously and addressing it in our every day lives. The staff of StopSign Internet Security software is proud be be part of the solution by providing excellent antivirus, antispyware, and firewall software as recommended by the Department of Homeland Security for every computer user in the US.

StopSign is proud to endorse NCSAM by helping raise awareness regarding Internet security-related topics. For more information on National Cyber Security Awareness Month or government recommendations on cyber security, please visit StaySafeOnline.org.

I want to talk about “free“. I don’t know about you, but I love free things. Free samples at Costco, kids eat free specials at restaurants… free is great when you can get it. But it’s not really free, is it? I mean, they want you to buy… they wouldn’t be in business if you didn’t. The free is just to get you in the door; but before you leave they want that “free” to turn into “pay”.

A very famous (and very popular) pop artist has a song that goes:

“We are living in a material world, and I am a material girl.”
Madonna

She is not wrong about where we’re living.

Like it or not, companies exist to make money. That’s not a popular thing to say out loud, but the fact is we all need to make money to survive. Your company needs to make money just as much as mine does, and when they do make it, we get our checks, pay our bills, and send our kids to school.

We see “free” a lot with services and products in the online world, don’t we? Free software, free upgrades, free this or that. But if you look closely, many times you see a free version advertised, only to click on the link to find out (surprise, surprise) that they push the paid versions. StopSign doesn’t do that. We offer a paid service, and a darned good one at that.

In our industry, that of Internet security, we have a lot of competitors. So what sets a company like ours apart if there are plenty of other choices? Why should you choose StopSign over someone else? Because StopSign offers you three things:

1. Commitment to quality:

   First and foremost, we have quality software. We stand behind every download and every account that our members have. We’re nothing without you and we know it, so we try harder. We’re a small business, and we don’t have a bajillion dollars behind us to flood the market with empty promises.

2. Excellent customer service:

   We’ve got 100% US-based support. Not outsourcing our support means that as a StopSign member you’ll get helped by people who live right here in the United States. We’re committed to keeping as many jobs in the US as possible.

3. Up front pricing:

   We don’t ply you with “free” and pretend you aren’t going to pay for our services. Sure, you could get a free 30-day trial of StopSign to test out the waters, but we’re not going to lie and say it’s 100% free. We want you to try StopSign out, see how great we are, and become a paid StopSign member. And because we’re not trying to fleece you with “free”, we don’t have to charge exorbitant support fees if you run into a major problem. Once you pay for your StopSign membership, that’s it until your next bill. You do not pay extra for support! Few antivirus software vendors can say the same thing.

Chances are your mom told you the same thing my mom did: “You get what you pay for.” If you paid nothing for software, what do you think you’ll get when you need help? At StopSign, our reasonably priced subscriptions ensure you get quality, US-based support that won’t quit on you or ask for more money to help you out when you need it. We hope that you’ll choose StopSign for your antivirus and Internet security needs.

Using antivirus software is an important part of owning a computer. As a PC user and web surfer, you’re constantly faced with online threats, Internet security holes, and the spectre of viruses & spyware. Downloading and installing antivirus software is the best first line of defense for avoiding these problems.

Sure, decent antivirus software is going to cost you a little money, but it’s well worth the price. The money you spend on antivirus software is like the money you spend on oil changes for your car. You may not always see the benefit with your eyes, but it’s preventative maintenance that’s necessary to keep things running smoothly and costs you less in the long run. Better to pay $50 for antivirus software today that keeps you protected, than spending $200 or more to have your local computer geek fix things every time you’re hit with a virus of spyware.

Antivirus software does a lot for you behind the scenes and frees you from having to not only keep up with all of the latest virus and spyware trends, but also gives you peace of mind to know that whether you’re working or surfing, you’re safe from online threats. Benefits of a decent antivirus software solution are:

• Virus protection:

  Any antivirus software worth its salt is going to help prevent a virus from wreaking havoc on your computer’s operating system, and if on a network, on any computer attached to it.

• Infected email detection:

  Good antivirus software will provide a method of detecting and removing infected emails; a commonly used way to spread viruses and spyware.

• Keeps important files safe:

  You’ve got pictures from your digital camera on your computer, don’t you? How about your taxes? The video of your wedding? Important emails? Sure you do. One good virus could wipe them all out. Or a nasty piece of spyware could transmit personally identifiable or financially-related information to a hacker somewhere.

A lot of companies claim to be something they aren’t, but at StopSign we’re not that way. We pride ourselves in standing out from the crowd by making sure that you get the best, most comprehensive Internet security software available coupled with world-class support, all for a fair monthly fee (or yearly if you prefer) that won’t break your budget.

When you become a paid member of StopSign Internet security, you’re getting the whole kit-and-kaboodle. We’re so confident in our ability to make and keep you safe from viruses and spyware that we proudly offer the following:

• Guaranteed PC cures:

  As a paid member, no matter what state your machine is in, we’re here to help you get virus- and spyware-free. From simple install problems to creating a Custom Cure™ for your PC if infected with a persistent infection, we’re in it for the long haul.

• US-based technical support:

  All of the StopSign technical support staff is located in our Poulsbo, WA office, just a short ferry ride from Seattle. We’ve never outsourced our support staff and we don’t have any future plans to do so, either. And all of their training and expertise comes from right here in the US.

• No hidden fees:

  A paid StopSign membership is like one of those all-inclusive resorts, only we don’t serve Mai-Tai’s and we’re not surrounded by crystal clear waters. Once you’re a member, that’s it. There are no hidden fees to upgrade your support options, there’s no extra money needed to cure a persistent infection, and we won’t hit you up for a new plan that will cost you a lot more money.

• Multiple contact methods:

  If you need to contact us for billing or support questions, we make ourselves available to you in multiple methods: Email, Live Chat, Online Ticketing, and yes, and even with an 800 number.

Don’t get caught in a cycle of throwing good money after bad to your security software vendor. With a paid StopSign membership you only pay your regular membership fee to get your PC cured, no matter what.