EPTFirst, download and run CCleaner from here. This should clean alot of junk from your computer and make virus scans faster. Next scan with at least 2 of the online virus scanners listed at the bottom of the page, I recommend the e-set scanner and the f-secure scanner. Run them in Internet explorer. Once that has finished download and install Malwarebytes. Once its installed restart if you have to then do a full update and a full scan.
Once the scan has finished restart your computer, if you're still experiencing problems or just want to be safe download HijackThis. Do a full scan and save a logfile. Post the logfile here but first READ THIS. It is a forum of expert computer users who will be able to understand your logfile and diagnose your problem.
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How to prevent infections!
Try to run an antivirus program with a real time scanner, as a rule of thumb, do not run multiple real-time scanners. They will conflict and could cause problems.
And remember to ALWAYS SCAN SUSPICIOUS FILES. This includes most files from services like bittorrent / p2p programs.
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Anti-Virus Programs
First and foremost everyone should have a good local anti-virus and anti-spyware program to prevent infections before they begin.
Recommendation
Avast 4 Home Edition
avast! 4 Home Edition is a complete antivirus and anti-spyware solution, fully able to find computer viruses, to create and check the integrity of programs installed, to test executed programs and opened documents, to test and check email and other functions. Scanning is also available in the shell extension and screen server.
-Automatic updates
-Real-Time protection
-P2P and IM Shields
-Support for 64-bit Windows
-99.4% Detection Rate
+ Show Spoiler [Other good antivirus programs] +
AVG Anti-Virus
AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product.
-Easy to use, low system resources
-Automatic update functionality
-Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
-Detects both Spyware and Viruses
-98.1% Detection Rate
AntiVir
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only.
-Real-Time scanning
-Automatic updates
-99.6% Detection Rate
BitDefender
BitDefender Free Edition is your chance to use one of the world's most effective antivirus engines for free!
BitDefender Free Edition uses the same ICSA Labs certified scanning engines found in other BitDefender products, allowing you to enjoy basic virus protection for no cost at all.
-Scheduled scanning
-No Real-Time scanning
-98% Detection Rate
Comodo Antivirus
Developed by one of the world's leading IT security providers, Comodo AntiVirus leverages multiple technologies (including on demand & on access scanning, email scanning, process monitoring, worm blocking and host intrusion prevention) to immediately start cleaning or quarantining suspicious files from your hard drives, shared disks, emails, downloads and system memory.
-Real-time On Access scanning
-Daily, automatic updates of virus definitions
PCTools Anti-virus
With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal information.
-Real Time Protection
-On Demand scanner
-Automatically Updates
ClamWin
A desktop antivirus based on the open source ClamAv.
-Standalone Virus scanner
-No Real-time scanning
-Automatic Updates
AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users for the life of the product.
-Easy to use, low system resources
-Automatic update functionality
-Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
-Detects both Spyware and Viruses
-98.1% Detection Rate
AntiVir
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users only.
-Real-Time scanning
-Automatic updates
-99.6% Detection Rate
BitDefender
BitDefender Free Edition is your chance to use one of the world's most effective antivirus engines for free!
BitDefender Free Edition uses the same ICSA Labs certified scanning engines found in other BitDefender products, allowing you to enjoy basic virus protection for no cost at all.
-Scheduled scanning
-No Real-Time scanning
-98% Detection Rate
Comodo Antivirus
Developed by one of the world's leading IT security providers, Comodo AntiVirus leverages multiple technologies (including on demand & on access scanning, email scanning, process monitoring, worm blocking and host intrusion prevention) to immediately start cleaning or quarantining suspicious files from your hard drives, shared disks, emails, downloads and system memory.
-Real-time On Access scanning
-Daily, automatic updates of virus definitions
PCTools Anti-virus
With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal information.
-Real Time Protection
-On Demand scanner
-Automatically Updates
ClamWin
A desktop antivirus based on the open source ClamAv.
-Standalone Virus scanner
-No Real-time scanning
-Automatic Updates
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Anti-Spyware
EVERYONE should have a good anti-spyware program. Spyware are unwanted programs that install themselves on your computer. Instead of simply breaking your computer, these programs do things like Steal passwords, credit card numbers,Serial keys, and even watch what you type.
Programs like Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy are outdated and should be replaced with Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware which are the next generation of anti-spyware products.
Recommendation
MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
Recommended by 1a2a9a
-Support for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
-Settings to enhance your Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware performance.
-Works together with other anti-malware programs.
AND
SUPERAntiSpyware
Recommended by 1a2a9a, Guru of all things anti-spyware.
-High detection Rate
-Manual Update Only
-Scans for all known types of spyware including rootkits.
+ Show Spoiler [Other good anti-spyware software] +
AVG Anti-Spyware
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition is a popular free antispyware solution available at no cost to home users and provides a high level of detection capability.
-High detection rate
-No Automatic updates
-No real-Time protection
Dr.Web Curit
Recommended by 1a2a9a
-Automatic Updates up to twice per hour.
-Fast response time to new threats.
-Detects all forms of spyware including rootkits.
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition is a popular free antispyware solution available at no cost to home users and provides a high level of detection capability.
-High detection rate
-No Automatic updates
-No real-Time protection
Dr.Web Curit
Recommended by 1a2a9a
-Automatic Updates up to twice per hour.
-Fast response time to new threats.
-Detects all forms of spyware including rootkits.
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Firewalls
Firewalls basically attempt to stop malicious programs or users from passing data to or from your computer.
Recommendation
Either. Both firewalls should be able to protect you from most intrusions. Feel free to try them both and decide which suits you best.
Zonealarm
Protect yourself with the best multi-layered firewall technology around. ZoneAlarm keeps intruders out, protects your PC to the core and makes you invisible to hackers.
-Essential firewall protection
-Be invisible to others online
-Easy to use and install
Comodo Firewall
The program provides a smorgasbord of information and options for advanced users, but it's simple enough for beginners, and runs smoothly and silently in the background. The most obvious new features include support for Windows Vista.
-'Smart' Popup Alerts
-Application Behavior Analysis
-Automatic 'Firewall Training' mode
-Windows Security Center Integration
-Application Recognition Database
-Automatic Updates
-Submit Suspicious Files to Comodo
Single File Scan
Have a file your suspicious about and dont want to do a complete scan or dont trust your current antivirus? Use one of these scanners.
Virus Total
Jotti Online File scanner
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Online Scanners
Online scanners are a great way to scan your computer with top notch software without having to pay. I'd recommend everyone to scan with a couple scanners every now and then to check for anything your normal scanner may have missed.
Most detect both spyware and viruses.
Most of these require IE and its recommended to use it for all scans.
Eset (Nod-32) Online scanner - Recommended
F-Secure - Recommended
Trendmicro Housecall
BitDefender Online scanner
Kaspersky Online Scanner
Ewido Online scan
Panda Online scanner
Microsoft Windows Live One scanner
This scanner not only scans for viruses and spyware, but defrags your harddisk and cleans your registry to keep your computer running fast. Recommended for those who do not know how to defrag or clean their registry.
