GENERIC TROJAN / ADWARE REMOVAL PROCEDURE

So many people have been having vicious malware attacks recently, attacks which have brought their computers down, that I am addressing the problem this week. I’ve discussed many of these items in earlier columns in bits and pieces. Apparently people don’t pay attention, don’t protect their computers, and go to dangerous sites.

In case you’ve caught a particularly wicked infection that is wreaking havoc with your computing, do the following.

Download the following items.

McAfee Stinger

Click the download link.

Trend Sysclean Package

Latest Trend Virus Pattern Files

Download the pattern files to the same folder as SysClean. Remember it is a zip file and will have to be extracted.

Ad-awareSE(free personal edition)

Click the ‘Download Now’ banner.

Create a new directory on your ‘C’ Drive: C:/NewFolder

Place Sysclean.com (the Trend Sysclean Package referenced above) into the new directory you created. Extract the latest Trend Virus Pattern Files (Example: lpt$vpn.285 and WHATSNEW.TXT) from the zip file you downloaded above into the same new directory you created. The Trend Pattern File contained in the ZIP file must be placed in the same directory as Sysclean.com.
Important: The TrendMicro Pattern file is updated reguarly. Aywhere from once per day to a few times in a day. Always make sure you have the latest version of SYSCLEAN.COM and the Pattern File before you scan your platform. The McAfee Stinger Internet worm and Trojan removal tool is upgraded periodically. Always make sure you have the latest version of McAfee Stinger utility before you scan your platform.

1. Install and Update Ad-Aware with the latest definitions.

As with all the other programs in this column and in other columns I’ve written, double click the setup icon and enter the standard installation procedure.

If you are running WinMe or WinXP disable SystemRestore

Reboot your PC into Safe Mode [F8 key during boot process].

How to boot into safe mode:

Generic
WindowsXP
How to perform a clean boot in WindowsXP

Using McAfee Stinger, the Trend Sysclean utility and Ad-Aware, perform a Full Scan of your platform and clean and/or delete any infectors and/or parasites found (a few cycles may be needed).

Restart your PC and perform a "final" Full Scan of your platform using McAfee Stinger, the Trend Sysclean utility and Ad-Aware.

If you are using WinME or WinXP,Re-enable System Restore and re-apply any System Restore preferences (e.g. HD space to use suggested 400 ~ 600MB).

Reboot your PC.

If you are using WinME or WinXP set a new restore point.

Dennis Turner