Getting rid of Malware yourself (some tips and tools)

Every now and then I get a call ask for help with virus removal by remote control.

Sadly trying to sort out virus problems by remote control is usually a waste of time.

If you are starting your computer "as normal" and trying to install anti-malware or virus removal software then you may well be wasting your time.


The reason being that the virus starts with the operating system and once the system is running the virus it is also the system I need to use for remote control.

So in the majority of cases the virus just keeps re-infecting every time you re-start your computer.

The trick is to not use the built in operating system to eradicate the virus.

This is where we boot from a CD/DVD version of an operating system and use tools thereon to remove the infections.

Sometimes, however, removing the virus, which must be done no matter how you look at it, leaves the operating system itself unusable and the only option remaining is a reload of your computer from scratch (like it was new and just out of the box).


Some "boot disk" options for you to try, as a last resort before reloading the operating as new, are:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-rescue-cd
On another computer, download the provided image and create a boot disk of the AVG rescue software.

The resulting CD boots your pc from the CD thus bypassing the virus startup. It has a better chance of eradicating bad stuff when it isn't running.

http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/
Hiren's boot cd is similar but it is a general purpose boot cd that includes anti-malware and antivirus software.

From it you should run Spybot Search and Destroy and any other AV product on it that you fancy.

All this will take hours/overnight so set and forget.

When they are done, remove the disk/s and start your computer and see how well you've done.

I hope that helps.

NOTE 1: You can also use Hiren's for copying off your important documents, photos etc. before running a scan or reinstalling the operating system. Just plug in your USB hard disk or thumb drive before booting Hiren's and you'll be able to see it as an extra drive and copy what you want to it.

NOTE 2: Quite often computers are set to boot from devices starting with Hard Disk and then the CD/DVD after that. To boot off your new boot DVD/CD you'll need to adjust your computer's BIOS to ensure that the DVD/CD drive is first in the Boot Order. This isn't too hard to find but Google your system and how to do it if you aren't confident.

NOTE 3: Because I suggest the use of the AVG Rescue disk here please don't assume this is an endorsement of the AVG products as a whole. Right now nothing could be further from the truth. There general product range is not recommended due to some recent and nasty misbehavior experienced personally and by clients. I'll let you know if that ever changes. For good free AV use AVIRA instead.