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Malware: Viruses, Adware, and Spyware Removal Instructions
How to Get Rid of Malware & Viruses – Updated for 2024
You most likely arrived here because you think you may be infected with some sort of malicious malware. Symptoms of a rogue virus may include: unwanted pop-ups, hijacked search results, 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 current security software may not be able to cure or even detect your problem.
Preparation for Malware/Virus Removal:
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.
Updates:
First, make sure your version of Windows is updated, especially the security patches and critical updates. Also check for Java Updates and Adobe Acrobat Updates.
Temp File Clean up:
Next, Download and Run TFC. This is a simple but useful tool that cleans all your temp folders. Using it makes your antivirus software scan a lot quicker, too. More info about TFC here. After downloading follow these steps:
> Open TFC and close any other windows/programs. Click the Start button. Do not open any programs or windows after you have started the program.
> TFC requires a reboot immediately after running.
Continue to the next step…
Scan for Viruses
Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date. Now, run a full system scan and save a copy of the log file for the last step.
Recommended Free Anti-Virus Software: AVG and Avast offer great free antivirus / computer security software. I used AVG for many years, but recently became a fan of Avast.
Scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and follow these steps:
> Open mbam-setup.exe which will lead you to Malware Bytes Free Download and follow the instructions to install. At the end, be sure the Update & Launch and boxes are ticked, and click Finish.
> Once updated and loaded, select Perform Quick Scan, then click Scan. When complete, click OK, then Show Results.
> Be sure everything is checked, then click Remove Selected.
> A log file will open in notepad. Save this in the same place you saved your antivirus log file.
> Restart your computer.
Hopefully, these first 3 steps found and removed any sort of malware from your PC. If you want to be certain, or think you are still infected, continue on to the next steps:
DDS by sUBs – Download & Run
Follow these steps – DDS is a program that is used to troubleshoot malware issues. The log files it produces will be needed for the last step of this process.
> Download DDS by sUBs here. After downloading, disable your virus protection/script blocking protection, and also disconnect from the internet.
> Double click on the DDS icon, allow it to run. If it won’t run, rename the file and try again. A window will open, with info about the utility. You don’t need to do anything, the scan is already running.
> The results will open in notepad. Click No for the Optional_Scan.
> Follow the instructions. When finished, DDS will open 2 log files: DDS.txt and Attach.txt (save these with your other log files).
> Close the DDS window. Delete the program from your where you saved it.
> Enable your virus protection and re-connect to the internet.
Final Step – Posting Logs to a Forum for Help
Phew, you made it. Now you can post your log files to a malware removal help forum.
I suggest: TechSpot.com. These are a bunch of helpful folks, so please be sure to follow their posting rules completely — before posting 😉 If you follow their instructions, they will help you with the nitty-gritty details to remove problem malware.
Follow these instruction to request assistance:
> Register for forum membership at TechSpot.com
> After registration is complete, point your browser to this page. You’ve already done their 8 steps if you followed all the steps in the previous guide, but please read over it to make sure you didn’t miss anything, then Skip to Step 7.
> Got all that? Now go to TechSpot.com’s Virus & Malware Removal Board . Click the button for +New Topic, and post your message.
> I suggest you use a concise & descriptive message title, then a little bit about your malware symptoms, be sure to mention that you followed their 8 Step Guide and have your required log files. Then paste in the following logs:
– AVG or Avast Anti-Malware log
– DDS logs: both DDS.txt and Attach.txt
Keep your antivirus scan log from earlier handy in case you are asked to post it as well.
Finish posting your assistance request to the forum, and you will receive replies within a day, but generally within an hour or less.
Alternative Malware Removal Help:
Rogue Security Software:
Many rogue malware applications imitate antivirus software with fake system scans, claims that your computer is infected with malware, and that you need to purchase the full version of the program to remove these bogus infections:
List of common rogue security software
AntiSpyware Soft
Antivirus 7
ACommander
A-Fast Antivirus
Anti Virus Armor
AKM Antivirus 2010 Pro
ByteDefender
Digital Protection
DataProtection
My Security Engine
PCommander
PrivacyGuard
Smart Security
WinGuard
VaccineCenter
…Just to name a few. Check out this list on Wikipedia of Rogue Anti Virus / Security Software.
“Help my Google Search Results are Being Redirected!”
You’re computer is infected. Follow the above guide to remove the offending malware.
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