Follow these steps:
STEP 1: SCAN COMPUTER FOR INFECTIONS
1. The most important thing you can do is make sure you know what you’re up against. Run these online scanners to help figure out what is infecting your system:
-http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
-http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/
-http://www.bitdefender.com/
-http://www.ewido.net/en/
STEP 2: TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE
1. Turn off Windows System Restore Points:
a. Right Click on My Computer
b. Click Properties
c. Click System Restore Tab
d. Check the box next to: Turn off System Restore on all Hard drives
i. Malware can sometimes be restored from previous restore points, this will help the removal process run more smoothly
2. Click Apply and OK
STEP 3: GO TO ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS TO CLEAR KNOWN MALWARE
1. Before scanning the computer you can remove certain malware programs from the Add/Remove Programs list in the Control Panel in Windows XP
2. Open the Start Menu and select Control Panel
3. In the Control Panel, select Add or Remove Programs
4. Look through the list for anything suspicious
5. Search http://www.google.com for any program you are not sure about.
6. Uninstall and follow the directions on any program that you decide to remove.
STEP 4: REMOVE TEMPORARY FILES
1. Go to the Start Menu and select Control Panel and click Internet Options.
a.Click the “Delete” button and delete all browsing history (temp files, internet files, cookies) and any settings stored by add-ons.
2. Open My Computer and click the Tools Menu and select “Folder Options.”
a. Next click on the View Tab and click in the circle next to “Show Hidden Files and Folders” then click OK.
3. In My Computer click on the C Drive > Documents and Settings > USERNAME (do this for as many names as you have on the computer) > Local Settings > Temp.
a. Now go to the Edit Menu and click “Select All.”
b. Once all the files are selected hit the “Delete” key.
4. Open the Start Menu, mouse over All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> and select Disc Cleanup
a. Select C Driver and click OK
b. Check any boxes listed here
c. Click OK and Yes
5. Download, install, and run CCleaner:
-http://www.ccleaner.com/
STEP 5: MALWARE REMOVAL TOOLS
1. Trojans, Worms, Key Loggers, Viruses, and Spyware are all very difficult to remove with just a single program. That is why it is recommend to run several programs to aid in the removal process. I recommend running each of the following programs listed below in order. Not all the programs are freeware and require purchase, you don’t have to run that program but I recommend looking into it if the results come back with your computer still being infected. Still, after all the freeware programs have run through your computer should be clean of any infection.
NOTE: It is recommend to run these programs in Safe Mode for the best results!
2. Trialware – Spyware Doctor: In my personal experience I have found that Spyware Doctor is one of the best for overall malware removal. It does an incredible job scanning and removing Trojans, key loggers, worms, etc.
- http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_installer.html?hl=en&gl=us
3. Freeware – SUPERAntiSpyware: This program has a top notch removal system just like Spyware Doctor.
-http://www.superantispyware.com/
4. Freeware – AVG Anti-Spyware: I’m not a huge fan of the AVG Antivirus but I’ve found that their Anti-Spyware does have a good kick to it. It can find a lot of the obscure malware programs some of the others might miss.
- http://free.grisoft.com/
5. Freeware – Spybot: This one gets a lot of advertising bots and other malicious programs.
-http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
6. Trialware – Counterspy: With a surprisingly powerful engine I find that Counterspy will power through the system and pick up the mess a lot of the previous programs might have missed.
-http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Home-Home-Office/Anti-Spyware/
7. Freeware – Ad-Aware 2007: Just because, does a great job finding cookies and small time malware.
-http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
8. Freeware – Spyware Terminator: Although you might have almost cleaned out the complete infection it doesn’t hurt to run this guy to double check your work.
-http://www.spywareterminator.com/
9. Purchasable – Spy Sweeper: I always save one of the best for last. Although Spy Sweeper may not have the best removal engine, it has been proven time and time again as the best active protection Spyware program. Also their Spy Sweeper with Antivirus is powered by Sophos which makes it quite a powerful program. It’s a $30 or more depending on the version you want but this is well worthwhile. This is one that you want to have for active protection.
-http://www.webroot.com/En_US/index.html?rc=5082
10. With a few stubborn files I find that the following programs will sometimes have a slight edge.
Smitfraud Removal:
-http://www.afterdawn.com/software/deskto...
Vundofix:
-http://vundofix.atribune.org/
11. Trialware – Registry Mechanic – You can purchase the full version for $30 but I find it does a pretty good job of cleaning up in the end even with just the trial.
-http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=afl_onenetwork
STEP 6: SCAN COMPUTER FOR INFECTIONS
1. Once more I recommend going to the online scanner just to be sure that you were able to remove all the malware infections:
-http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
-http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/
-http://www.bitdefender.com/
-http://www.ewido.net/en/
STEP 7: TURN ON SYSTEM RESTORE
1. Turn on Windows System Restore Points:
a. Right Click on My Computer
b. Click Properties
c. Click System Restore Tab
d. Uncheck the box next to: Turn off System Restore on all Hard drives
2. Click Apply and OK
STEP 8: SETUP PROTECTION
1. Now that the system has been cleaned you want to protect it from happening again. I would recommend the following anti-virus and anti-spyware programs to help protect the machine.
2. Anti-Virus
a. Avast: In overall scans I found that this comes in at the top for virus and spyware protection amongst the free anti-virus programs.
- http://www.avast.com/
b. Avira: In the same scans I found that Avira comes in a very close second to Avast for virus and spyware protection.
- http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php
3. Anti-Spyware
a. Spyware Blaster: This is a powerful utility that helps to block potential spyware problems from browsers and websites.
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
b. Spy Sweeper: As I said before this one is the best that I’ve come across. You will have to pay for it yearly for the protection but the price is not to high to deter
from the purchase.
-http://www.webroot.com/En_US/index.html?rc=5082
STEP 9: SYSTEM RECOVERY
1. In a worst case scenario if the following steps do not clean your system, even after purchasing the software, you would want to do the system recovery on the computer. Just make sure you backup your important files before formatting. This will format the hard drive and erase any problems the computer was happening before restoring it to a factory default state that it came from the manufacturer.