Malware - Viruses, Adware, and Spyware
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How to remove computer viruses and prevent infections

You probably arrived here because you think you might be infected with some sort of malicious malware. Symptoms of a rogue virus on a computer may include: Unwanted pop-ups (such as those telling you to download Winfixer), general computer / internet slowness, inability to connect to the internet, unknown processes running, etc...

New virus's and virus variants seem to come along almost everyday, so no matter what virus software you use, and how often you update it, your software may not be able to cure or even detect your problem.

Fortunately, virus problems are almost always curable. You will most likely need to download some new software and take a multi-step approach to remove a virus, but if you follow these instructions step-by-step, you will be back to a clean machine.

First Steps in Virus Removal and protection:

Here is a list of free software you should download and install. Many spyware, adware and viruses can be cured automatically with these programs.

1) Preparation for Virus Removal:
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If you are unable to connect to the internet use this utility (WinSockXPFix) first:

WinsockXPFix for Windows

Next, you should clean your computers temporary files. This will make virus scanners work much quicker, and can get rid of a lot of unneeded files on your computers.

CleanUp! - Download Page
How to use CleanUp! :
- Download, Install, and Run
- After it finishes, follow the instructions to reboot

Clean your Internet Explorer Cache:
With a browser window open click: Tools > Internet Properties
Under "Temporarily Internet Files" click: Delete Files
This could take a few minutes, when finished, click OK.

Important:

Check your computer for Rogue / Malicious "Anti-Spyware" products and software.

Now is also a good time to go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, and get rid of any installed programs you no longer use. (remember to run CleanUp! again after this).

2) Scan for Adware and Spyware
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Ad-aware SE - Download Ad-Aware Free
How to use Ad-ware:
- Download, Install and Run
- In main window, choose option to Check for Updates, then download these files.
- Perform full scan
- When finished, mark everything for removal and remove the offending files.

Spybot S&D - Download and DSO Exploit Fix
How to Use:
- Download and Install Spybot S&D and DSO Exploit Fix
- Run Spybot S&D, click Update > Search For Updates > check each update box > download updates.
- Next choose Search and Destroy > Check for problems. After scanning has completed: choose Fix Selected Problems.
- Last choose Immunize > then immunize button to protect your computer from common spyware from installing.

CWShredder - Download Page
How to use:
- Download, Install, and Run.
- Allow program to fix any malicious files it finds.

Reboot, Take a Deep Breath, and Continue to the Next Step:

3) Scan for Viruses and Trojans
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Even if you already have an up-to-date antivirus program installed, one program can never catch every possible threat.

Panda Active Scan - Online Virus Scan
How to use:
Follow online instructions, allowing software to install and run.

TrojanHunter - Download Free Version
How to use:
Download, Install & Run.

Reboot, and Test your system to see if your symptoms have gone away, in not Continue to the Next Step:

4) Hijack This & Posting your Log:
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Hijack This - Download Page
How to use:
Download, Install, and run.
Click> Scan. Then >Save Log.

You can paste your log file to one of these forums, and the folks there can help you remove any viruses the above steps where unable to:

http://www.geekstogo.com

http://castlecops.com

http://www.atribune.org

5) Virus & Spyware Protection and Prevention:
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Now that you have a clean system, let's keep it that way. Follow these steps to prevent future infections:

1) Have good anti-virus software installed, and keep it updated. A very good free program is AVG Anti-Virus. Other reputable software includes: Norton, and KAV.

2) Keep windows updated.

3) Use a firewall such as Zonealarm, Sygate, or Kerio.

4) Run Ad-aware and Spybot S&D weekly.

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Special Notes for those with Winfixer problems:

Lately, I have noticed a dramatic increase in folks requesting how to remove Winfixer 2005 pop-ups from there computer. Please follow the above steps completely, and by the end, you will have rid your self of Winfixer along with other malware.

Also on Blifaloo:

Speed up Windows XP
Easy tweaks you can do to speed up the performance of your PC.

Return to top | Useless & Useful Info Home Page | More Blifaloo!

Last 10 comments

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By: doug - January 24th 2006   I am amazed at the other posts on WinFixer. What a bunch of criminals. Software legal eagles - Any class action? I am SOO in. I have wasted so much time!! By: Jenna - January 10th 2006   Thank you so much for this site...I finally think I am getting rid of that winfixer and I am in on any lawsuit!! I had all the protection, but with two teens, it's hard to stop stuff. By: Amy - January 07th 2006   I forgot that I also had to restart with the system restore function disabled, after removing winfixer in safe mode. Otherwise it will keep coming back. It was a nightmare! By: Amy - January 07th 2006   I had winfixer. I finally succeeded in removing it by running spybot and adaware info here but in SAFE MODE; do it a couple of times back to back & then return to normal mode. It should be gone. By: Amy - January 07th 2006   I had winfixer. I finally succeeded in removing it by running spybot and adaware info here but in SAFE MODE; do it a couple of times back to back & then return to normal mode. It should be gone. By: JHON - January 04th 2006   WINFIXER HAS 2 DAYS TO GET OFF MY COMPUTER. TODAY IS JAN 04. GET A HINT By: Lisa - December 24th 2005   arrgh I have winfix variant for the 3rd time, my husband usually removes it, but doesnt have time as of late. The instructions to remove manually are over my head?? Help! any prog's to fix? By: Krusts - December 18th 2005   If there is a lawsuit...IM SO IN! this damn thing wont blimmin leave me alone! it constantly pops up, (bout every5-10 secs, and ive tried ad aware, AVG PRO, an th rest, hope ur better off...*sigh* By: Yvonne - December 17th 2005   I have the winfixer virus as well. If there is a classaction suit, I'll gladly join in. If winfixer pops up on your screen, do not click the x to close it out, that's how it gets there. By: Mats - December 15th 2005   Brendan: re-read this whole article and follow the instructions completely step-by-step. This WILL remove winfixer.

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