What to do with spyware *loaded* PC?

walterbyrd_at_iname.com
Date: 01/31/05 

Date: 30 Jan 2005 15:36:52 -0800

Suppose a good friend or family member brings you a PC loaded with
spyware, and asking for your help.

What is the best way to clean up the PC, and keep it clean?

Usually I completely rebuild the system: backup, format, re-install.
Then I install updates, AV software, spybot, ad-aware, and cwshreader,
and show them how to use the anti-malware software. I also try to get
them to switch to firefox, with mixed success. It's time consuming, but
it's fairly sure.

I've tried just running the anti-spyware software, and manually
cleaning out the registry. I've tried spybot, ad-adware, cwshreader,
spyweeper, and symantec. It seems like I can never quite get it all.
And if the tiniest bit of spyware stuff is left, I might as well have
not done anything. Also, this method is not exactly quick, symatec
especially runs forever. Also, it's very easy to accidently remove a
valid file and totally screw up your system.

Although rebuilding works, there are some serious problems. The time
I've already mentioned. Also, often people do not have all their
software applications, or drivers. I have also know people to put their
valuable data in remarkable odd places - there is nothing I have like
accidently deleting important data.

Any advice?

Relevant Pages

  • Re: IE Links dont work
    ... Download sysclean.com, from Trend Micro, here: ... in Safe mode or from a Clean Boot and clean or delete anything ... In the Startup tab, ... programs report as spyware. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Legitimate file or Spyware?
    ... > several different spyware scans and they all say my computer is clean. ... Have you ran at least 5 of the applications in the SPYWARE section below? ... using Windows XP "prettifications". ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Spyware/Adaware infestation
    ... spyware has gotten into my home's wiring. ... > keep it clean and secure as well as running at its top performance mark. ... > Why you should use a computer firewall.. ... > have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Spyware: how to clean registry and stop returns
    ... | dedicated side of mwe wants to try to clean up the little | Spyware demons and liberate my machine. ... Is that firewall the same as | the one called "Internet Connection Firewall"?? ... |>| Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Spyware: how to clean registry and stop returns
    ... Then start over clean. ... The systems detect |> hundreds of Spyware items, remove many of these malicious |> files, and clean up some of their registry entries. ... | Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)