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You may want to download all tools and print out these instructions before you start.
1.Make sure your version of Windows is Up to date (note: If you are running XP and have not upgraded to Service Pack 2, follow the Virus Removal Instructions before installing SP2. Malware infections can cause install failures).
2.Using Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer) go to Tools/Folder Options/View- check "show hidden files and folders", "display the full path" and uncheck "hide file extensions for know file types"
3.Clean out all temp, cache, etc files. Do this in safe-mode. BootSafe is a tool to make booting into safe-mode simple-get it here and don't forget to read the instructions! CrapCleaner will help make cleaning easier.
4.Download David Lipman's Multi_AV here and save to disk. It is a self-extracting file. It will create a file C:\AV-CLS, use Start Menu to start M_AV. Run Multi_AV in normal mode so you can download the definition files for each of the scanners included in M_AV. There is a PDF manual (also included). You can read David's instructions here.
5.Restart in safe-mode (you may want to disconnect from the 'net at this point) and run M_AV (there are 4 scanners to choose from, Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky) Each will create a log of what was done. Examine the log file. If the offending file is in "system restore" or "system volume" disable System Restore. If it can't be deleted because it is "locked" or "in use" there is a facility to stop a running process. Go here and look at the section on "Process Killer" or you can try using KillBox, CopyLock or MoveonBoot.
6.Download AdAware. Install, update and then run it-let it fix all critical items. If you lose your internet connection after running it you can use Winsock Fix and LSP fix (which you should download before running the scanners).
7.Download Spybot Search+Destroy. Install, update and then run it (enable all protection).
8.Download Spyware Blaster. Install, update and then run it (enable all protection)
9.Download BHODemon. Install, update and run. It checks for Browser Helper Objects.
10.Run a online scanner (choose one that is different from your main AV) I have some listed here.
11.Scan for Trojans using SwatIt, Bazooka and A-squared.
12.For CoolWebSearch problems use CWShredder.
13.If you still have problems, download HijackThis. Create a folder, put HijackThis in it and then run it. Don't let it fix anything yet. Save the log file it makes and post it to the forums to have it analyzed.
14.KL-Detector will scan for keyloggers-get it here.
15.Super Ad Blocker is another spyware cleaning tool-they offer a free and a paid version (with real-time monitoring and Ad Blocking)-get it here
16.Make sure you are using the latest version of Java, get it here. If you need to update-uninstall the old version first. If you are running the latest-clean out java's temp files.
Now that your system is relatively free from malware-learn to protect yourself. Read through my other pages and follow the links. The best protection begins with an educated user.
by: Max M.Wachtel III all rights reservedThis page last updated on 07/03/07
email: maxpro4u@gmail.com