Chad Stiemke's Tech Journal

I have seen more than a few slow functioning PCs that have had issues or been virtually disabled thanks to Spyware/Malware installed on the PC. This is becoming an increasing threat and nuisance to PCs - more so than viruses in my opinion. Below are some tools I commonly use to help remove infected PCs - in no particular order:


* Spyware/Malware Removal Tools

• Adaware (www.lavasoft.com)
• Great piece of software for removing ads and other annoying pop-ups that may occur throughout your system.
  
• Make sure you update the software before you run a scan (the more complete the software the better results you will get).
• WARNING: If you have ad supported software and run this software, it may detect that ad feature and cause problems when you try to run the software. Worse case scenario, you will need to reinstall the software.
  
• Spybot Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org/en/)
• Excellent piece of software for removing numerous pieces of spyware that may be installed on your computer.
• Has a feature called Immunize to block certain 'holes' within your system to prevent faster infestation.
• Make sure software has newest software definitions installed to capture and remove the newest found issues.
  

*Virus Removal Tools

• Avast (www.avast.com)
• Excellent free antivirus program - highly recommended.
• Integration with most email programs and P2P software.
  
• Frequent updates, fast and not very system demanding.
• AVG (free.grisoft.com)
• Well known free antivirus.
• Works well - though not as good (in my opinion) as Avast.
  
• Panda's Activescan (www.pandasoftware.com/activescan)
• Online scanner for antivirus (spyware is detected but only removed if you pay for the professional edition via yearly fee).
• Automatically updated since it is online and Panda updates the virus definitions as available.
• NOTE: Last time I ran it - it only works with Internet Explorer as it uses ActiveX controls to scan your system.
  

*Hybrids (removes both Spyware/Malware and Viruses)

• TrendMicro's HouseCall (housecall.trendmicro.com)
• Great online scanner.
• Always updated - removes spyware and viruses in one scanning.
• Works with IE (ActiveX) and Firefox (Java).
• Slow but thorough!
  

Labels: spyware malware antivirus removal