This is a guide I'm writing that should help most Windows Users get the tools they need to detect, remove, and prevent infections from spyware and/or viruses. It will also provide tools to help you all secure your PC.

Likewise, Installing both Spybot & Ad-aware along with a virus scanner and a firewall will help make your PC very secure. However one of the biggest problems is with Internet Explorer itself. Switching to a new browser will GREATLY reduce your risk of being infected with Spyware or Viruses.


If you are trying to remove spyware/virus be sure to do it in SAFE MODE. Just hit F8 right before the Windows logo appears durring boot up.
If you are on Windows XP or ME you will need to disable system restore before you scan.

An Overview

• What Is Spyware? - Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:
  • You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
  • The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
  • You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
  • Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
  • You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.
  
  
• What Is A Virus/Trojan - A program written with a malicious intent to cause a computer to be infected and change its behavior unexpectedly without the user's permission. A Virus can do many things which include but are not limited to: Deleting Files, Infecting Other Computers, and Allowing People to Access Your Computer. A Virus has similar symptoms to spyware including:
  • Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
  • You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.
  
  

Detection, Removal

Spyware / Adware Removal Tools


The following programs will scan for and remove most types of Spyware/Adware. MSAS and SpySweeper usually have the best results.

• (Public Beta) - Microsoft Windows Defender (Author Recommended) - Antispyware program for XP
  
• (Trial) - Spy Sweeper (Author Recommended) - Antispyware program
  
• (Free) - Spyware Doctor - Antispyware Progarm
  
• (Free) - Spybot Search & Destroy - Antispyware Program
  
• (Free) - Lavasoft Ad-aware - Antispyware Program
  
• (Free) - Hijack This - Advanced Antispyware Tool

Virus Detection / Removal Tools

Both AVG NOD32 and Norton are excellent Anti-Virus tools.

• (Free) - Kaspersky Personal Pro (Author Recommended) - Free Virus Scanner
  
• (Free) - AVG Anti Virus - Free Virus Scanner
  
• (Trial) - NOD32 - Virus Scanner
  
• (Trial) - Norton Antivirus Virus Scanner
  
• (Trial) - Panda Seciruity Products Virus Scanner
  
• (Free) - Symantec Online Database - *Online Virus Database + Removal Tools*
• (Free) - Trend Micro Online Scan *Online Web Virus Scan*

Prevention

In this section I am going to go over a few of the ways you can protect your PC from being infected with Adware, Spyware, & Viruses.

The following are optional, but could make a huge difference on Spyware/Adware/Virus prevention

• Change Your Browser - Microsoft Internet Explorere 6 is limited in features and sometimes security. Many people find the following browsers to be great alternatives. Using a browser such as Firefox instead of IE6 will also reduce your risk of getting a virus or spyware infection while surfing the web. Remeber though, the computer is only as smart as its operator:
  
  • (Free) - Mozilla Firefox - A web browser that offers many features that are not found in IE6.
    
  • (Free) - Opera - Another browser that offers many features not found in IE6.
  
  
  
  
• Install a Firewall (not needed but may help) - Windows XP with SP2 by default has a average firewall, but if you feel the need monitor every aspect of your system and keep logs you can try some third party software. Zone Alarm & Sygate are great Free Firewalls. If paired with AVG Anti Virus & an Adware Scanner, you would have a secure PC without paying anything.
  
  • (Free) - Zone Alarm - Firewall Software
  • (Trial) - Kerio Personal Firewall 4 - Firewall Software
  • (Free) - Sygate Personal Firewall - Firewall Software
  • (Trial) - Norton Personal Firewall - Firewall Sofware
    
    

Thanks Luna. Very helpful for those that are having problems. Fortunately, I have Spybot and Norton Firewall. But for some reason pop-ups are starting to come through and I haven't changed my settings. Hmmm...gotta go fix

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If you are getting pop up's from your browser, then you can do three things. Get a 3rd party pop up remover, Switch to Firefox, or if you have XP you can upgrade to Servicepack 2 RC2 which will give a few big updates to IE, one of which is a built in pop up blocker that works wonders.

If they are just random pop up's, maybe other adware tools will detect it. I don't have very many listed on here as of yet. You should install Ad-aware as well, and do a scan with that.

By the way everyone, I would like to add more programs to this list, so if you know of any good ones, let me know.

I need:

Adware scanners
Anti-Virus Software
Web Browsers (anything more secure than IE)
Firewalls


Would prefer if they were Free, but commercial software is accepted as well.

So if you can help me out that would be great.

I use this online virus scanner from Trend Micro, which wasn't in your list. It's online and free. Thought it might be useful. It's solved quite a few problems for me.

http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

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Added *Trend Micro Online Scan* to A/V

Remake of an old thread?

Hell, this is 12313562346 better then the first.

And now, people are going to field their questions in YOUR direction! Haha!

Yeah, nice job btw

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I once ate a daffodil....

Only other browser I would add is Opera.

One thing that I discovered recently about spywares, if they get installed via those annoying windows that you can select to always trust that source. You know, that little check box with the Yes and No buttons. They get installed in the windows\Downloaded Program Files folder also. Only problem is that if you selected to always trust that source, the spyware will always come back without asking. So after a cleanup with Adware and Spybot, check that folder out. If you right click on the item listed and select properties, you can see the CodeBase, usually a web adress, if you never heard of it and seems bad, delete it! Worse that can happen is that you'll get that windows poping up again, so this time click NO!! Remember that it only works with Internet Explorer, so if you use something else like FireFox or Opera, you'll forget about popups soon enough

Ok added opera.


As for spyware and those pop up boxes, you don't get those with Firefox. It blocks them for you.

If a plugin is needed (like flash or quicktime), it will display an icon on the page, and if you click it, it will tell you all about the plugin you need and what it really does, and where you can get it.

good choice! PC-cillin always catches the stuff that nortons doesn't... i would definately scan with this after you scan with any of the others

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