What is the best software for scanning computers?

Question

I want to download and run a program on my laptop to perform a full scan and clean it up. I have run ad-aware but I don't think its catching (or fixing) everything........

Answer 1

Securing a Personal Machine

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/studentchecklist.html



OS Reinstallation vs. Virus Removal

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/rebuild_repair.html



If you follow all the following steps it should get rid of your problem and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.

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Update your Full Time (Active) antivirus and run a full scan.



If you do not have active virus protection, install only one. All are excellent.

Try AVG first.



AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1

or

Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

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Update your Full Time (Active) spyware protection and run a full scan. If you do not have active spyware protection, install:



Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



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Install the following four programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all four. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection. They will greatly increase your protection. Install and run now.



Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php



Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)

Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper

After installation: update + scan + immunize

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html



SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html



SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)

http://www.superantispyware.com/

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Install:



CCleaner:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Do not install optional toolbar.

Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history

In options.

Set to run when computer starts.

Place cookies you want to keep in save list

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Install either one not both:



McAfee Site Advisor: Internet Explorer and Firefox

http://www.siteadvisor.com/



McAfee SiteAdvisor helps protect you from all kinds of Web-based security threats including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, browser exploits, and online scams.



TrendProtect™

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/trendprotect.php

TrendProtect is a FREE browser plug-in that helps you avoid Web pages with unwanted content and hidden threats.

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Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.



In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.



Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn of system restore



After the malware is removed turn on system restore.

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Run this time only:



CWShredder: run

http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/

Roguefix.bat

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

Shoot The Messenger

http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

SmitFraudFix

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How_to_use_SmitFraudFix-t109268.html

Vundo Fix and

VirtumundoBegone (if VundoFix does not work)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic18610.html

VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool (Install and run)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

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Run this time and monthly:



Microsoft Update:

Run in "Custom Mode". Install everything, reboot and repeat until nothing is left to install.

http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us



Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”

Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm



Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

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Rootkits Removers

Pick any 2 install and run one each month.



AVG Anti-Rootkit

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

F-Secure BlackLight

http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Panda Anti-Rootkit

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/antirootkit/

Sophos Anti-Rootkit

http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html

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Online Free Scanners:

Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.

Run a different one each month.



Avast! Online Scanner

http://onlinescan.avast.com/

BitDefender Online Scanner

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

CA eTrust® PestScan

http://pestpatrol.com/pestscan/index.htm

eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

F-Secure Online Virus Scanner

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Kaspersky - Free Online Virus Scan

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

McAfee - Free Scan

http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs

Panda Software - ActiveScan

http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/activescan/ascan_2.asp

Symantec (norton) - Security Check

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp

Trend Micro™ HouseCall

http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp

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Additional Information:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection

http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

http://aumha.org/secure.htm

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php

http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607

Answer 2

You are probably asking about antivirus and antispyware programs, but you may want to consider a registry cleaner as well. I have heard that CCleaner is good, although the one that I use is RegCure. It is great and makes a difference in how your computer runs since it gets rid of errors in your computer's registry that tend to slow it down. I would not manually edit the registry since doing so can really mess up your system. Using a program like this is a good idea. But if you are still worried about it, back up your registry first. RegCure gives you an option to do that.

Answer 3

Download Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool and do a complete scan:

www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx



And do an online scan as well:



www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html



www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

Answer 4

It may or may not be. You can try spybot search and destroy as well, and you can try downloading a free antivirus program like avast at www.avast.com. Download the home version.

Answer 5

NOD32 and registry mechanic...







dhruv