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First Advice

Posted on February 4, 2009February 4, 2009 By Michael Kavka No Comments on First Advice

So, as I was at work today, I got a call to go out on my 7th virus removal in the last 6 weeks. Yeah 1 a week at different clients does seem a bit much, but considering how skittish people are at running Windows Updates, things like this happens.

To those who want to know what I tend to use to clean machines of malware, let me tell you.

First off turn off the System Restore. Malware loves to hide there and it is nigh impossible to clean out of the restore points. Kill them, get rid of them.

Now then the software I use includes Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes, Spybot, and HiJack This. If possible keep these programs with their latests versions on your USB thumb drive. They are invaluable.

Make sure that they are as up to date as possible (yes sometimes you need to run them without checking for updates cause the malware will prevent updates from being downloaded) in safe mode.

Just remember google is your friend in these instances, and removal of the malware can take a long time. If you can just wipe and reload the machine, that of course is the preffered method, but use your own judgement.

Computers Tags:Ad-Aware, Anti-virus, Computers, HiJack This, Malware, Malwarebytes, Microsoft, Spybot, Virus, Virus Removal, Windows

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2008 Active Directory Android Antivirus Apple Beta CarbonBlack Chrome Computers Exchange Exchange 2007 Firefox General Thoughts Google InfoSec Internet Explorer iOS iPad IT Linux Mac Malware Microsoft OS OSx Patches SBS SBS 2008 Security Server SMB Software Support Surface TechEd Thotcon Tweets Ubuntu Verizon Virus Vista Windows Windows 7 Windows 8 XP

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  • Macfinger ClickFix campaign, (Tue, Sep 22nd) September 23, 2026
  • ShinyHunters claims attack on FBI exposes almost all agents September 22, 2026 Matt Kapko
  • Researchers Find Windows Malware With Autonomous C2 Functionality September 22, 2026 Lindsey O'Donnell-Welch
  • Rogue external MFA providers can steal passwords during logins September 22, 2026 Lawrence Abrams
  • Windows CLOSEDQUORUM malware uses AI models to autonomously select post-compromise actions September 22, 2026
  • After water attacks, Capitol Hill offers its own proposal for an AI-cyber test program September 22, 2026 Tim Starks
  • Chinese hackers exploit WordPress, Zyxel flaws to steal govt data September 22, 2026 Bill Toulas
  • CVE-2026-94450 - Potential denial of service when configured to send Retry packets in s2n-quic September 22, 2026 aws@amazon.com
  • Canadian regulator opens probe of IDScan for allegedly violating data privacy laws September 22, 2026
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  • ShinyHunters claims FBI hack, data theft in PeopleSoft zero-day breach September 22, 2026 Lawrence Abrams
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