Need help i think my Computer is spyware/malware/virus infected.?
My computer has been getting really slow like slower than usual. Like programs would close unexpectedly. For example sometimes i would visit sites and Avast would block malware. But i still don't feel so secure. I heard and i read that there is some spy ware that is undectable by the antivirus porgrams.
what SHOULD I DO? Any good free programs that better clean my computer. That i can trust?
2009-11-05T21:51:36Z
For example today i was on skype web caming and i suddenly got an IM saying that my computer is malware and spy-ware infected and that i need to scan it. I have in the past ran into sites telling that i need to scan and i as soon i downloaded them it turned out to be spy-ware and malware which i got rid of but still i have a feeling i may have spyware cause my computer is really slow and sometimes programs close unexpectedly. Please help?
Elmer Fud2009-11-05T22:05:24Z
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Malwarebytes from- http://www.malwarebytes.org/ instructions on use- http://www.udel.edu/topics/spyware/malwarebytes.html video on use of- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvbkBonKOQU
Superantispyware from- http://www.superantispyware.com/ instructions on use- http://superantispyware.com/support.html video uses of- http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=instructions+on+use+of+superantispyware&search_type=&aq=f
The sad thing is that you played right into the malware and virus makers' hand by panicking and allowing them to "scan" your computer. You were actually giving them the capability to infect your computer! Sneaky, huh?
You can run antivirus and antispyware programs, but the sad fact is if you have found one virus on your computer, you probably have several. Cleaning the computer now requires you to follow these steps, because modern viruses and spyware entrench themselves in files that your computer needs in order to run:
1. Virus-check your data files (not application files-- you have installer CDs for those). 2. Back up the data files, getting them off your hard drive. 3. Get your original operating system CDs that came with your computer. 4. Boot your computer from the operating system CD. 5. Select the option that erases your hard drive and then reinstall your system software. 6. Turn on your software firewall that came with your operating system. 7. Reconnect to the internet, and download *all* Windows updates, no matter how long it takes. 8. Reinstall your application software, and update the applications as much as you can. 9. Reinstall your data files. 10. Create a limited user account on your system that does *not* have administrator access, and web surf only from this account.
Yes, this is a pain in the butt. No, there is no other way. No, antivirus and antispyware programs cannot fix this problem on its own.
So, what do you do in the future?
1. Never click on links you find in an e-mail. 2. Never open an e-mail attachment, ever. 3. Only download files from a reputable website that you know is on the up-and-up. 4. Never use bit-torrent and other file-sharing programs. 5. Never use an unsolicited drive-checking site. 6. Turn off all java and java scripting by default, and only enable java and java scripting for sites that you know you can trust. 7. Never read an unsolicited e-mail, and delete spam immediately. It is possible to be hacked by reading an e-mail alone.
Please adhere to the 'dont's' I provided above, because you will have to repeat the cleaning steps that I listed first *every time you get infected.* Anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are good to have, but they are a second line of defense. The best way to protect your system is you, and changing your behavior.
Malware are not always the cause why your system is getting slow.
Another reason is of course, it may lack proper tweaking.
Here are a few tips:
Get a registry cleaner. I recommend you use CCleaner. It can be downloaded for free in this link. Use it to clean useless files and registry errors. Cleaning those will hopefully speed up your system.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
Also try disk defragmenting.
You can also try other anti spyware and security products such as AVG 9.0 and Avira.
But note that no Antivirus out there seems to perform at its very best when you do not buy its premium functions.
If your system is really bad, that none of those tips seem to work, consider reinstalling the operating system.
Yes, not all spyware or malware is detectable by anti-virus software.
AVG is a trustworthy, free Anti-virus program. McAfee and Norton are commonly used as well, though not free.
Anytime you see ads saying you need to download something to remove spyware, it is a ploy to get you to download spyware/malware/viruses. Just ignore them.
If you can't seem to get rid of the spyware with the antivirus, a clean install of the operating system is your best bet. This is a drastic measure, but it is guaranteed to remove any and all spyware.