In the past few months I have noticed countless threads about malware and problems from malware. So I’m going to write up a little guide on how to defend from, and if need be, get rid of the problems.

Wiki defines Malware as: “Malicious Software [that] is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The term is a portmanteau of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.”

Malware can cause any number of problems ranging from reassigning the keys on your keyboard to cutting off your internet or it could be as small as an annoying advertisement pop-up. But, I have found that in most cases people find the worst thing about Malware is that it can slow your computer to a crawl by utilizing precious system resources. So if something odd is happening to your PC and you have no way to explain it then chances are you have accidently downloaded some Malware.

So (to the best of my ability) I’m going to recommend some basic solutions as to how one could protect their PC from such nasty software.

The most basic and easiest thing you can do to protect your PC is to use common sense. Don’t download that “required application” in order to watch a porn video, Chances are if it doesn’t sound familiar or feels fishy its malware. Then the second thing is to have a Firewall/Anti-Virus. Now I don’t believe in buying this software because there are many free options available on the web that can do the job just as good if not better then the competitors. So I’m only going to be linking freeware in this guide. Here are a couple of my favorites:

[1] AVG: http://free.avg.com/ "This antivirus program for your home or office computer is easy on system resources and simple to install and use. The fully automated update process will keep your computer protected at all times. Components include AVG Email Scanner, which checks your incoming and outgoing e-mail for viruses; AVG Resident Shield, which checks for viruses as files are opened, executed, and saved and will prevent you from opening or running an infected file; and AVG Virus Vault, a place where infected files are isolated so they cannot cause damage to your system." Download this instead of Norton, it's better and free.

[2] Avast! http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html Avast! was one of the first on-access antivirus programs to be released for Windows x64 edition. Avast! 4 Home is a popular full-featured freeware anti-virus applications available to Microsoft Windows and Linux users. As of July, 2008 it has had over 25 million downloads on Download.com.[2] As of March 7, 2008 Avast! (Home version) has had 60 million registered users.

Ad-Aware SE: http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-200...-10045910.html I’ve been using this software for years. I have a couple personal gripes about the newest version but other than that it is a must (at least for me) when it comes to protecting my PC.

SpyBot – Search & Destroy: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...dlPid=10861988 Another must for me. This application has a nifty feature where it will notify you if there are changes in the registry. It also comes with loads of helpful software to fix any problems caused by Malware.

The above mentioned programs coupled with a little windows defender should provide a reasonable amount of protection from Malware. But even with the applications chances are you are still going to be infected. There are many things you can do in order to get rid of that pesky malware so I’m going to walk you through a couple solutions.

Easiest thing to do:

Run Adaware and SpyBot regularly, I run mine about once a week when I go to sleep just to make sure my PC is always clean. You could also run Stinger http://www.download.com/McAfee-AVERT...dlPid=10552056 if you are experiencing problems caused by malware and viruses. This is also a program I’ve been using for several years and I must say it’s a decent application to have around.

If these solutions don’t work then it’s time to do a System Restore, Here is a guide on how to do it: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

Moderate Solutions:

Usually the System Restore will do the job but if it doesn’t then it time to start looking for other options. I would run Hijack This: http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...-10227353.html Hijack This works by “listing the contents of key areas of the Registry and hard drive--areas that are used by both legitimate programmers and hijackers. The program is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs and URLs, only the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites.” It is also recommended that you seek a little assistance when running this if you don’t know what you are doing. You could end up deleting needed registry components by accident which could cause more bad then good. Best thing to do it run the application and copy and paste the results on a tech forum of your choice for some needed assistance.

Long but sure fire solution:

Now it should never come to this, but you could format your PC. Sometimes there are just things that you just can’t get rid of, or there are just too many problems to correct, that it would be easier just start fresh. Formatting is the process of wiping the hard drive and reinstall your preferred OS. You get a clean slate to start over with but it’s a hassle re downloading drivers and applications. And may take weeks to get your PC personalized the way you had it. But hey, it’s the only definite solution.

A couple things worth mentioning.

CCleaner: http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...dlPid=10837066 CCleaner “is a system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It cleans: Internet Explorer (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Auto complete form history, index.dat); Firefox (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history); Windows (Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files, and Log files); Registry cleaner (Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, and Invalid Shortcuts. So comes with a comprehensive backup feature.) Added system tray icon, added minimize to system tray option, and optimized file deletion routines.” I use it to wipe my Firefox data and clean my cookies out. It’s just a nice app to have around.

There are many other solutions to fixing malware; I’ve just presented some basic solutions that have worked over the years for me. So please, do a little research yourself. Get informed about such issues rather than making thread after thread about these petty issues. The main problem concerning malware is ignorance. Look before you click, don’t click pop ups. Don’t download un proven extensions. If you torrent a lot then look at the user comments before downloading your torrent. Better yet, dedicate a separate partition on your HDD for sensitive applications like P2P programs so there is no possible way to infect your main OS. Its little things like this that will benefit you much more in the long run than any application will.

Side note: This is only my limited knowledge if the subject. I only decided to write this thing because its 4am and I’m bored. And of course, people keep making threads asking for help. I’m sure there are mistakes. I’m sure I’ve left out easier solutions then the ones mentioned. I’m sure I’ve neglected to add freeware that would be better and more efficient than the ones mentioned, but this is all I can think of off the top of my head. So, if there are any things I need to add, or if there is anything I can change that would be better, feel free to mention it and I will correct it and credit you. I’m open to suggestions.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...o/malware.mspx
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-200...-10045910.html
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...dlPid=10861988
http://www.download.com/McAfee-AVERT...dlPid=10552056
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx
http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...-10227353.html
http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...dlPid=10837066
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avast!

Contributors:

[1] nau06248
[2] The Chip Shop Guy

...Or they can just install GNU/Linux.

Normally I would just say that ^ and leave it at that. But I do appreciate the helpful guide you have created for the those people who are determined on staying with a windows machine. But also in a way you're paving the way for them to be bounded and to stay with Windows. Although your intentions are good, I hate your advise.

I don't want to come across as rude, but c'mon isn't it time to start making the switch now?..The big man behind windows has finally realized how to open the window and he has climbed out, isn't it time you do the same?

Have recently installed a fresh xp and have been meaning to go get adaware and spybot for a week now!! Thanks for the prompt

Maybe add a couple of free anti-virus packages? AVG etc...?

*villageillness falls on his knees and looks up to the sky and screams "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"*

I knew i forgot something, i'll Add AVG thanks.

@ Villageillness

I can understand where your coming from. But i'm more oriented at getting the most out of my PC then brand loyalty. Yes Microsoft is a shit company with questionable business practices. Yes Linux is a bad ass free OS with a great community and should indeed be leading the pack in the OS war. But the fact of the matter is there are some things Linux can't do that Windows can and there are some things that Windows can't do that Linux can. So, in my humble opinion your only hurting yourself by staying with one OS. Duel boot and get the best of both worlds, or in my case, have a gaming PC running Vista and a laptop running xp/linux. I'm starting to stray a bit so lets not get my thread locked, stick to the topic at hand.

Could a mod change the title to something like "A Guide on How to Protect Your Computer From Malware."

I don't think i can do it myself >.>;

Bump.

Better guide -

Firefox 3.0 (web browser)
No-Script (firefox addon)
AdblockPlus (firefox addon)
Avast! AV (antivirus)
ZoneAlarm (firewall)

Thats all you need.

You fail to do the one thing that is most needed and that's to educate the reader. A well educated PC user shouldn't even need these to stay safe when it comes to malicious software.

I couldn't agree more. Also, the common sense remark sums my thoughts up perfectly. I'm not sure, but I think I remember a thread a while back about some guy who fucked his PC trying to watch midget/horse porn. I see my younger cousin's computer plauged with crap like "Free Crazy Frog Screensaver" and 'Antivirus' programs which are infact virus' themselves. It baffles me at how people can be so stupid.

However, I do think The Neighborhood Watch has a point about Avast! Antivirus. I prefer it over AVG for some reason. It requires a registration code but thats free. It updates itself regularly and provides protection for all kinds.

You seem more experienced than I with antivirus' though so if you do get the chance, check it out and see which is better.