AV and spyware choices

[Trace]

You can see from my profile that I am very new to this game of doing something to my PC other than using the net to find out whats on TV!

 

I am unable to reactivate automatic updates on the windows security centre and so contacted microsoft who suggested running my antivirus programme whilst in safe mode. I apparently do not have an AV programme - Ashampoo is simply a firewall I think - and so I ran (but did not install) onelive as suggested by microsoft. This found 18 nasties but only cleared 11 of them, so I began looking for ways to 'clear' the rest.

 

Following one of the threads in this forum, I have looked at Avira, Avast and followed links to spyware Dr.

 

I have NO experience of using AV programmes so want something that is VERY easy to use, but naturally want to be able to remove those things 'uncleared' by one-live. I have come accross phrases like worm and trojan remover in my search for the right download and have basically come to complete mental meltdown.

 

Can anyone suggest a suitable FREE download that is both easy to use and will afford my PC with protection whilst being able to clear the trojans (or whatever they are) already on my system.

 

(NB. it has to be FREE as I have yet to figure out how to set up paypal to enable me to use my French bank card on international sites!!)

[RandyL]

Hi Trace;

It looks like we have two main issues to deal with here.

1. Getting you cleaned up.

2. Getting you decent security.

 

Lets start by getting you cleaned up as an infected computer can cause issues with installation and running of security.

 

After that look at Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help Recommended Security products and you will see two AV's that have a free version. Avira Antivir and Avast.

 

Ashampoo has a firewall, AV and antispyware but notice that it is not on our list of recommended products. None of their products are on our list. There are some firewalls on our list that have a free version.

 

Please follow our guide. It's not hard. Just print it out and follow all the steps in the order given. If at any time your malware causes an issue with following our guide let us know so that we can take additional steps.

 

 

Your computer appears to be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

 

It is in your best interest to note the following:

1. Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
   
2. Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
   
3. If unsure, please stop and voice your doubts.
   
4. You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended to print off the instructions below for ease of reference.
   

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

 

 

 

================================================

 

STEP 1

1. Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
   
4. On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
   
5. Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
6. Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
7. Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
   
8. Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
   

================================================

STEP 2

1. Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
   

[*]Click Finish.

[*]The program will download and update itself if it finds the necessity to do so. Please allow this.

[*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

 

 

Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

[*]When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results to view the results.

[*]Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

[*]Restart your computer.

================================================

STEP 3

1. Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
   
5. Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
   
6. Click the Scanning Control tab.
   
7. Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:

   [*]Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

   [*]On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

   [*]On the left, make sure you check mark All the Fixed Drives.

   [*]On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

   [*]Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

   [*]After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

   [*]Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

   [*]A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

   [*]Restart your computer.

   ================================================

   STEP 4
   1. Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer to initiate the scan.
       
      Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
      
   2. Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
      
   3. Click the Start button.
      
   4. Click the Install button on the following screen.
      
   5. Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
      
   6. Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
      
   7. Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
      
   8. Restart your computer.
      

   ================================================

   STEP 5
   1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
      
   2. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
      
   3. Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
      
   4. Click on the More Options tab.
      
   5. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
      

   This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only foolproof way to ensure the deletion of those files.

    

   Note: Do not clear restore points on a regular basis as doing so will clear all previous restore points even those that you may need. System Restore is a useful tool to revert your computer back to a working condition if something goes wrong.

    

   Re-enable all your security applications and please return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

Close browsers before scanning
Scan for tracking cookies
Terminate memory threats before quarantining
Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

[Trace]

ee by 'eck Lad, but tha knows thy stuff!

 

I've done as suggested and not only cleared about 37 trojans, tracking cookies and other stuff, but have been able to reactivate automatic updates for windows (have had to e-mail microsoft to say thanks for their offer of help, but I no longer need it!)

 

I now have malwarebytes and superantispyware on my desktop and am now gonna have a go at installing Avira (with firewall) and therefore uninstall Ashampoo.

 

Thank you very much for you help, especially the idiot proof step-by-step instructions!

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Tha's reight theer tha noas so if tha get's owt else wrang just gizza shart oreight Trace.

[RandyL]

Thats good to hear Trace. If you have any more questions just ask.

 

Thanks for letting us know too,