Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Removing Spyware and Malware

    In my opinion viruses are not the problem now a days.  The problems that we face on the computer is Spyware and Malware.  These are programs that take over parts of the computer so we find it hard to operate the computer.  Here is an example of Spyware that was on somebody's computer:

A window popped up that said they had a virus.  It looked like a message from Microsoft Security.  The message said that if they purchased the virus software for $80 the virus would be taken care of.  They couldn't operate the computer because of this virus message.  It turns out that this was Spyware intended to make you spend money to take care of the problem that was created by the same program

Here is how to take care of Spyware after you have been infected.  This is only for people who want to put the program on a CD.

  1. Go to somebody's computer and obtain the program Malwarebytes.  Here is the process of putting Malwarebytes on a CD.
  2. Go to the website http://www.malwarebytes.org/
  3. Click Download Free Version. 
  4. Click Download Now. 
  5. Click the bar at the top to download. 
  6. Click Download File. 
  7. Click Save. 
    1. Side Note.  If you want to install the program right now.  Click Open and follow the directions.
  8. Click desktop to save it on your desktop. 
  9. Locate the file on your desktop. 
  10. Place a blank CD in your computer.
  11. Right Click on the mbam-setup.exe icon.
  12. Click on Send to CD-Drive. 
  13. Click Yes on the strange window that comes up. 
  14. A small window will pop saying you have files waiting to be written. 
  15. Click on the small window.  You only have about 30 seconds to do so.
  16. A window will pop - click next. 
  17. Now the CD is being created.
  18. When the CD is done it will eject your CD.  I label my CDs with a Sharpie pen to remember what it is.
  19. If you computer has spyware that won't allow it to startup normally you will have to use SAFE MODE.
  20. To enter safe mode restart the computer.
  21. As soon as the computer begins press the F8 key several times to enter safe mode.
  22. Follow the prompts on the screen to enter safe mode.

Here is how to install the program in Safe Mode.

  1. Put the CD in the computer.
  2. Click Start.
  3. Click My Computer
  4. Double Click your CD drive. 
  5. Double click the program to install. 
  6. Follow the prompts to install.
  7. Take the checkmarks off the final prompt. 
  8. Click Finish.
  9. Double Click the Program now on your desktop. 
  10. Perform a full scan. 
  11. Click Scan.
  12. Follow any prompts to remove or fix any spyware or malware found.

Removing Continued

  1. After finishing the scan a window will pop up saying it has finished. 
  2. Click Show Results. 
  3. Click Remove Selected. 
  4. It will give you the option of saving a log that tells you about the results.  You don't have to save it.
  5. Normally, the program will have you restart the computer.  Do that right away without waiting.

There is another program if Malwarebytes doesn't work for you.  It is found at http://www.safer-networking.org  It is called Spybot Search and Destroy.

Here is another option.  This option is from Microsoft.  That means it should work very well with your computer.  It is found at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ When you get there click Download Now.    Follow all the prompts to finish installing the program.