If
your computer is infected with either spyware, worms or viruses
please follow the steps below:
1.
Start by deleting internet temporary files and cookies.
How:
- Open
"Internet explorer web browser"
- Click
on "Tools" then select "Internet
Options"
- Under
temporary internet files click on "Delete Files"
then select "Ok"
- Click
on "Delete Cookies" then select "Ok"
2.
Download Ccleaner to remove other temporary files
CCleaner
(Crap Cleaner) is a freeware system optimization and privacy
tool that removes unused and temporary files from your system
- allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving
you more hard disk space.
How to
Download Ccleaner:
- Go
to http://www.ccleaner.com
- Click
on "Download" at the top of the screen
- Scroll
down a little and under Version 1.23.160 select "Download
from FileHippo.com"
- On
the top right hand corner select "Download latest
version"
- Save
the exe file
- Double-click
this executable file to install it then follow the wizard
to set it up
How
to run the tool:
- Uncheck
the "Delete Index.dat files" as most of
these files are programme related and often do not cause
issues on various window programmes.
- On
the same window click on "Run cleaner"
then "Ok" and allow it to run until it
says CLEANING COMPLETE
- Once
this is done select "Exit" on the top right
hand corner.
3.
Download tools to remove spyware and malware
Two programs
are described below: Ad-Aware
and Xoftspy.
3.1.
Ad-Aware is designed to provide
advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising,
Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers,
Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.
How
to Download Ad-Aware:
- Go
to http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
- On
the top right hand corner click on "Download.com"
to get a free copy of Ad-aware. This will direct you to
another site.
- At
this site click on "Download now"
- Save
the exe file
- Double-click
this executable file to install it and follow the wizard
How
to run the tool:
- Update
the software by clicking on "Check for Updates"
- Click
on "Start" and select "Perform full system
scan" then click "next"
- Allow
it to scan until it says "scan complete"
then click "next"
- Check
the boxes on the left of all threats detected then click
"next"
- Click
on "Ok" to delete the selected objects
- Under
the usage statistics box click on "open quarantine
list", highlight the quarantined file and click
on "delete"
3.2.
Xoftspy will scan your computer
and identify suspicious, harmful and potentially unwanted
programs, registry keys, files, toolbars, bookmarks etc.
Please
purchase this software. It will help you further clean and
scan your computer
4.
Removing Viruses
Two programs
are described below: Stinger
and Norton Anti-Virus
4.1.
Stinger is a stand-alone
utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is
not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather
a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with
an infected system. Stinger utilizes next generation scan
engine technology, including process scanning, digitally signed
DAT files, and scan performance optimizations
How
to Download Stinger:
How
to run the tool:
- Double
click on stinger to open it
- Click
on "Preferences" and check on "Boot
sectors" then click on "Ok"
Note:
If your computer has more than one drive click on "Browse"
then select the other hard drive by highlighting it and clicking
on "OK". Do this for all the hard drive partitions
that you have.
- Click
on "Scan Now" and allow the programme to
run until it says "Finished scanning" if
any viruses are found they will be displayed in Red and
the action taken on them.
If the
action taken is "repaired" or "deleted"
then the threat has been removed,
If the action is "Could not be repaired"
then you have to search for the infected file and delete it
manually.
4.2.
Scan for Viruses using Norton Anti Virus/
Symantec anti virus:
If you
have Norton anti virus or any other antivirus programme, we
recommend that you update it and then do a full system scan.
You can
see a complete how-to on "Scan using Norton" by
clicking here.
Note some
viruses can not be removed in normal windows working mode,
and therefore if you are having trouble getting rid of such
kind of viruses/ spy wares etc, we recommend you boot your
computer in safe mode and then follow all the above scanning
procedures while in safe mode.
Note:
If you do not know how to start your computer in safe mode,
please review the how-to on "Starting your computer in
safe mode" by clicking here.
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