Virus Removal Tool

MOST infections can be cleaned yourself by following the following steps.

Download the following tools (Some malware will attempt to block your access to antimalware sites so you may have to download these from a different computer and copy them to a transferable media (flashdrive, cdr/dvdr, thumb drive…)

Malwarebytes – http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Superantispyware – http://www.superantispyware.com/

Boot your computer into “Safe Mode” by pressing F8 as soon as the windows logo appears (You have to be quick).

Once you are in safe mode install MalWareBytes and run a full scan of your computer (Once again some malware attempts to prevent you from installing and using tools that remove the virus so If you are unable to install MalWareBytes Rename the file “MBAM.EXE” to something else. I typically name it “xxxxx.exe” )

After MalWareBytes has finished and cleaned what it found then install and run SuperAntiSpyWare.

There are some malware that cannot be removed from SafeMode if the machine is infected. This is often the case with rootkits as they compromise the kernel or core ‘critical’ system files. For those situations you will need to boot into a clean image to perform the virus removal. There are a few ways to do this I typically use a clean boot CD such as UBCD4WIN or Knoppix or the Avira AntiVir Rescue CD or the Kaspersky Rescue CD. Knoppix is Linux Based and has a lot of utilities and tools for fixing your computer from all sorts of problems. The other three options are Windows Based. UBCD4WIN has a lot of tools for system maintenance. The other two are specifically designed for virus removal using two very good anti-virus programs. All 4 are excellent choices and I carry all 4 with me as they each have their own strengths.

http://www.ubcd4win.com/
http://www.knoppix.net/
http://www.free-av.com/
http://support.kaspersky.com/

http://free.avg.com/download?prd=afe
http://superantispyware.com/
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Antispyware? Windows Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Anti-virus? Avast:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

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You must have active virus and spyware protection. You must also have a firewall.

Active Virus Protection: Install Free Avira or Free Avast. Avira is rated slightly better than Avast. Do not install both. Two active anti-virus programs they will cause conflicts when running.
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Active Spyware Protection: Install Microsoft Windows Defender (free, Included with Vista). You can have more than one active spyware protection program installed.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Make sure your firewall is active. Windows firewall is fine, though there are more advanced firewalls available, each with its own pluses and minuses.

Also install to further harden your computer against attacks (require manually updating weekly), Install
"SpywareBlaster" (free) Blocks 12,749 items
"Spybot – Search & Destroy" (free) (Disable tea timer and SD Helper):
Mode > Advanced > Tools > Resident > Uncheck tea timer and SD Helper After each update click Immunize button > click Immunize
Immunize blocks 116,523 items
Spybot – Search & Destroy has a relatively weak spyware scan.which I rarely use.

Google names in " " below and click on first result.

To reduce you chances of being infected by visiting bad web pages and downloading bad software install
"McAfee SiteAdvisor" (free)
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
It places a box in your browser (Firefox and IE) that is green for safe sites, yellow or orange for questionable sites, and red for dangerous sites. When you want to download software go to the software manufactures web site and press the McAfee button and read the reviews sometimes even though McAfee rates it green reviews rate it red.

Install and at least once a month update and run:
"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" (free version)
"SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition"

Other good tools to install
"CCleaner" – free- cleans garbage from your hard drive
"Comodo Registry Cleaner 1.0.17.23" – free
"Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)" – free -Checks for outdated, unpatched programs that are a security threat and shows patches if available.
"Belarc Advisor" – free- Lists all installed programs, many product keys, and checks that all Microsoft updates have been installed. It also analyzes your security level.

Good free online scanners; Run a different one each month or so. Rotate through the list.
"BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan"
"ESET Online Scanner"
"Kaspersky Lab Free Virus Scan"
"McAfee FreeScan"
"Panda ActiveScan"
"Symantec Security Check"
"Trend Micro HouseCall"
"Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner"