Best way to clean an infected PC

My friends daughter called me and told me her computer has all types of malware problems. I asked her to bring me the computer so I can take a look at it.

I know the best way to make sure the machine is clean is to reformat, or in this case restore, to get a fresh install of Windows and set up the security from scratch.

Short of reformatting/restoring, what steps would you try to disinfect and clean the machine?

Thanks for any help or advice.

 

I dont do anything special; I just run various malware scanners. If necessary Ill scan under Safe Mode.

 

MajorGeeks.com has a step by step guide.

Verrrrry thorough.

 

Hello,

If you really have enough time and will to do it:

Manually uninstall whatever possible.
Run 1-2 anti-virus scanners, write down anything they can't clean.
Run 1-2 anti-spyware scanners, write down anything they can't clean.
Reboot in safe mode, try again.
Reboot to live CD, manually delete problematic entries file.
Repeat until the scanners show clean.
Run registry cleaner, temp file cleaner etc.
Setup a security package, with firewall, normal browser whatnot.
Charge the person for your hard work.

Sometimes, if required, use several diagnostic tools to understand the nature of the problem deeper, before and after running the scanners.

But I find this boring and not very effective, it's much better to reformat and start over clean. However, sometimes people will do anything to avoid format, and if you don't mind helping them ...

Mrk

 

That is what I would do also : backup my data, reformat or zero my HDD and re-install from scratch.
More work, but much easier and guaranteed clean and a terrific moment to create clean images.

 

" Best way to clean an infected PC" Thermite works very well. Just kidding

 

Hi, ErikAlbert

And making sure the data from the Infected PC, is clean before it is restored.

Take Care,
TheQuest

 

Hi!

Logs from miscellaneous utilities show you a lot of active malware.

 

Speaking of which

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PKB5nnHGAk