Malware Removal Quick Links
Rootkit removers. Rootkit malware (Wikipedia definition)
can be especially hard to remove, making it seem like the infection
keeps coming back. (It's not really coming back — it never left!) Given
your PC's symptoms, Tom, I suggest you run one or more of the following
utilities — they're specifically designed to detect and remove rootkits
and all are free. (The product names are linked to each app's info
page.)
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Sophos' Anti-Rootkit has an excellent reputation and is easy to use.
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Trend Micro's RootkitBuster
targets a broad array of related threats in "hidden files, registry
entries, processes, services, drivers, kernel code patches, ports,
operating system service hooks, and Master Boot Record (MBR) rootkits."
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Microsoft's RootkitRevealer
specifically targets "Registry and file system API discrepancies that
may indicate the presence of a user-mode or kernel-mode rootkit.
RootkitRevealer successfully detects many persistent rootkits including
AFX, Vanquish, and HackerDefender."
General-purpose malware removers. Other forms of malware also can cause the kinds of trouble you're experiencing, Tom. These additional tools may help:
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Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
is an excellent, free, anti-malware utility that scans your system on
whatever schedule you choose. (Windows Secrets contributors often
recommend running this app on a regular basis.) The Pro version (U.S.
$25) offers additional real-time protection not available in the free
version.
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Lavasoft's Ad-Aware
comes in free, Pro ($30), and Total ($50) editions. The free version is
a general anti-malware tool. The paid versions add rootkit protection
and other features. (See the site for a comparison.)
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Safer Networking's Spybot Search & Destroy
(freeware/donationware) had fallen off my radar because it was,
frankly, ancient. But a new Version 2 is in public beta. It looks
promising, but beta software is unfinished by definition and so may have
flaws. Use with extra caution.
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Trend Micro's Hijack This
comes with several tools to help identify and remove malware. It also
can generate a nicely detailed report on your system's registry and file
settings, so you can look deeply for anomalies.
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Trend Micro's RUBotted specifically monitors your computer for bots
(short for "robot"), a common type of Internet app that can be used for
malicious purposes such as allowing hackers to take control of your
computer. (Check out the "Malicious purposes" section in the Wikipedia
Internet-bot definition page.)
On-demand anti-malware scans. I also suggest you use one or more standalone, live (or on-demand)
scanning services that operate independently of the other security
tools on your PC. They may be able to catch malware your mainline
defenses miss.
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Trend Micro's HouseCall
now at version 7.1, remains one of the best in this category. (Notice
how many times I've mentioned Trend Micro products? Kudos to them for
offering so many excellent tools!)
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Symantec's Security Check seems to do a thorough job of on-demand scanning.
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ESET's Online Scanner isn't noted for its speed, but it is undeniably thorough.
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Microsoft's Safety Scanner is extremely simple to use and checks for a variety of viruses and other malware.
Source: http://windowssecrets.com/category/langalist/