Malware Removal

 

Malware and Computer Virus Removal

Malware Removal may not be as difficult as some would think. It all depends on what Malware has infected your computer. Usually you will find that most malicious programs come in with other computer infections. So how can you tell if you have Malware on your computer. The common signs are programs that you did not choose to install. There are times when these malicious programs come in with some kind of free software. A lot of the time there will be a number of programs where you may have the choice to uncheck the program so it does not get installed on your computer. There is also the time when you do not have a choice and this junk malware is on your computer and slows things down and keeps popping up. Usually it will seem to run a number of checks on your system and proceed to tell you that you should buy it to clean up or repair your computer. These types of programs may be legitimate or they may be fake. They also tend to cause more problems then they are worth. 

  Okay so you may be asking what are the best programs to use to remove the malware from your computer. Below I will give the names of the best programs to use. I would also follow the steps that I number them in. This procedure will clean up almost all computer infections.

1.  The first thing I would do if possible is have a back up of your system or back up your data on your system to a second hard drive. This way if the system has further problems you will have all your data. Just remember to scan all saved data before moving it back to the system. There are excellent programs such as Nortons Ghost or Acronis.
2. Download the following programs to a flash drive and install them on your computer in the safe mode with networking. Download Combofix ( does not run yet for windows 8.1), Free Malwarebytes, TDSS KILLER, Free Spybot, Super Anti Spyware, Eset Online Scanner, A-Squared, Adware Cleaner, Adware Removal Tool, Junkware Removal Tool, Rogue Cleaner and Revo Uninstaller.
3. Update and Run each of these programs. Reboot the computer when instructed to.
4. Almost all of these programs can be downloaded from Bleeping Computer at this link http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ .
5. Start your computer up and keep pressing the F8 Key on the keyboard.
6. Once at the menu choices select safemode with networking.
7. Copy the programs in a folder called virus cleaning to your desktop.
8. You can then type msconfig, Select the Boot Tab, Check Safe Boot and select Network, Click Apply and Restart the Computer. The Computer will now always boot to the safemode with networking so you have internet access.
9. If you are working with windows 8 or 8.1 you may have to enter the normal mode first and follow the procedure in step 5.
10. Two of the most common malicious programs are 24x7 Help and PC Optimizer Pro. There are quite a few different malicious programs out there as well.
11. You can try to remove these malicious programs using the free removal tool called REVO UNINSTALLER. This website is an excellent place to download many free portable apps http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/revo_uninstaller_portable
12. Always pay attention when installing any program, because it may have other unwanted software such as conduit etc... Make sure to uncheck these extra junk programs.
13.  With Revo click the arrow next to the view button and select details. Then click installation date at the top of the fourth row. Now you can see what programs have been installed especially around the time of the infection. Click on the unwanted malicious program and choose to uninstall it. You can use the default choices or choose advanced. Make sure to select the files found for the junk program and choose delete. Reboot the computer if instructed to.
14. When all Virus Cleaning is done follow step 8 and uncheck safe boot, click apply, click okay and reboot the system.
15. Try running various programs, access your documents, pictures, check windows updates etc... Basically you are testing the system to make sure all is working properly. 
16. You may have to reset all web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Infections can and usually change settings as well as home pages.
17. I would also suggest updating programs such as Java, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player Etc...

  If you have no further problems then you should be okay.
  Thank You for reading.