Disclaimer
Motivation
Glossary
Examples
Preliminaries
- Microsoft Critical Updates (but not SP 2)
- *Service Pack 2 may not install correctly on a system that is already compromised. If in doubt, go through the clean up outlined below first.
- Add/Remove Programs -- Examples
- Empty Recycle Bin and AV Quarantine Folders
- These files aren't dangerous -- but they get scanned by each successive tool and will, even when one tool has repaired the damage, show as an infection in the newer tool's log.
- Make Hidden Files Visible
- Get one good antivirus program and update it.
- Download the required tools into a new folder (C:\SpywareTools)
- Install and configure -- don't run yet
- C-Cleaner, SpyBot - Search & Destroy, AdAware, Windows Defender, Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, CounterSpy
- Avoid these "look-alikes" and "wannabes"
- Safe Mode
- Run your chosen, updated antivirus program
- Run in this order -- saving logs and reports where possible:
- C-Cleaner (default scan only)
- MS Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool -- clean all
- Ad-Aware SE (full system scan and fix all)
- Spybot S&D (Use "Immunize", (DO NOT use"Teatimer")
- MS Windows Defender (fix what it finds) -- may not run in "Safe Mode"
- CounterSpy (only if your system won't run Defender)
- Online Scanners
- BitDefender
- Panda ActiveScan
- Reboot into normal mode
- Go to a forum -- READ terms and directions -- follow them
- HijackThis
- Post HijackThis log
- Donate
- Become a technician
- Microsoft Critical Updates -- Including Service Pack 2
- Turn on Automatic Update (or leave it on)
- Add defensive tools
- Configure Browsers: Explorer
- Install a new browser
- Get Updates