Revised 2013-05-20
Each of the Anti-Virus programs that I recommend, have their advantage, and disadvantages
depending on equipment and tolerance for system slow down.
If you suspect you have a virus, you are probably running
McAfee or Norton. These are the two most popular Anti-Virus programs, and also the two WORST ones to be using.
I don't have enough space to say how bad these products are, tell you how much trouble they cause,
or how bad they are at stopping viruses. McAfee is terrible, because it actually causes a lot of regular software
to not work properly, until this software is removed from your computer. It is just an awful program to be using
in a multi-user network environment.
PcTools Anti-virus http://www.pctools.com/
*** this product has been bought by Symantic and ruined like everything else they touch *** so forget this one now.
Spyware Doctor is probably one of the best anti-virus programs out there, but it can really bog down your computer,
especially if it is an older computer. I have to use this program to remove some stubborn viruses that other programs miss
or do not completely resolve problems caused by the virus.
This will really lock down and protect your computer.. alas, it will also slow it down.
AVG anti-virus http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage
[*** I am current reviewing my opinion on this.. it has started to become Bloatware and increasingly not finding things it should
as well as causing a few problems in recent months ***]
This one is pretty good. I have been using it for years. It is a good cross between protection and
slowing down your computer.
Super Anti-Spyware http://www.superantispyware.com/
This one does well, and does not slow down your computer very much.
Kaspersky http://usa.kaspersky.com/
This one is really good at getting rid of viruses that other programs may not have seen or removed.
Avast http://www.avast.com/en-us/index
I am personally giving this one a closer look as some of my other picks are now no longer good options.
Trend Micro http://www.trendmicro.com/us/index.html
This is also a good program.
Microsoft Security Essentials http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials
If you like "free", and prefer not to run a paid version of some other Anti-virus,
at least please install and run this one.
OK, you have a virus and want to get rid of it, try these steps.
1) Microsoft Spy Sweeper, now called Windows Defender OffLine
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/what-is-windows-defender-offline
This site will help you create a bootable CD that you can scan your computer with.
This is good, because it can remove viruses that won't leave while your computer is in its normal
desktop, or Safe Mode.
2) The next step I would do is:
Kaspersky Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363
Use this to scan and remove any Boot Virus that may be on your computer.
3) MalwareBytes http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Use the free version of this to scan your computer. This program is GREAT ! Use it all the time.
Make sure you check for updates in the update tab.
4) Spy Bot Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/dl/
[Note: This is a Brand New version 2.0 I am in the process of reviewing it] Use Free version.
Run this program and make sure you do Updates.
Also, it has a feature to block known bad web sites in your web browser called "Immunize".
5) Trend Micro House Call http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
This is an on-line Web based anti-virus scanner.
I have had various results with this program. It doesn't seem to like some of the systems I have
it running on. If it crashes, you might try the Beta version.. or just skip it. This does not mean
there is something wrong with your computer if it doesn't work.
At this point you should have removed most, if not all the bad stuff on your computer.
Re-Run everything again until nothing is found.
OTHER OPTIONS TO TRY
AVG Rescue CD
http://www.avg.com/ww-en/avg-rescue-cd
Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10
http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuedisk
PC Tools Support Center
http://www.pctools.com/support/
IMPORTANT if you have a virus that looks like it has deleted your desktop and all your files try
ComboFix Download
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/
this will fix a lot more than just this problem.
Warning*** this can take a LONG LONG time to run.. more than likely overnight.
Read through all the info before running it, I think it has 54 passes it runs before it is done.
But this has rescued some really messed up computers for me.
If something prevents you from installing or running any of these programs, you probably
have one of the nastier viruses on your computer. It would be blocking attempts to remove it, as
well as blocking attempts to install any Anti-Virus Software. You can try running your computer in
Safe Mode and trying the above steps again. You should probably contact me at this point,
as procedures will get more advanced. I have a reduced rate of $50 to remove viruses, if you drop off
and pick-up the computer.
For older, slower computers, you might try the following:
Super Anti-Spyware http://www.superantispyware.com/
Webroot http://www.webroot.com/En_US/index.html
Avast http://www.avast.com/en-us/index
Avira http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus