What is best way to clean my data (1.5GB) of malware

[shiphen]

Hi

I now have about 1.5GB of personal data that JUST MIGHT have a trojan/virus in it.

- What is the best way to totally clean up my data?

I was thinking of installing SEVERAL anti-virus applications all on one WinXP laptop computer - albeit just on a temporary basis (e.g.
- AVG and
- Avast and
- Kasperky and
- Norton and
- MacAfee
- others ???)
and then running each of them in turn across a copy of the data to see if any problems are spotted.

...But is this wise?

Presumably I could also install malware specialist software such as:
- malwarebytes anti-malware
- spybot search and destroy
- superantispyware
- others?

BACKGROUND
I had a PC that definitely became infected with several quite nasty trojans. I have now run several things across the data (e.g. AVG and Kasperky), and taken the data off PC, formatted the disk (I think), and have completely re-installed Windows7 from original DVD.

I am deeply paranoid because I dont want to infect my office with any nasties!

The data is currently sitting on my WindowsXP laptop. And I was thinking of doing loads of scan on the laptop and if OK, then copying the data back onto my Windows7 machine, and formatting the laptops's hard disk just in case,
One problem is that I am worried that my (Lenovo T60) laptop's special WindowsXP installation partition might have become infected too. But the laptop never came with any WindowsXP CDs so if I format that I'll be somewhat screwed.

Questions:

1. Is it okay to run more than one anti-viral at once on the same PC?

2. Whic anti-virals do you recommend I use?

3. Should I format the laptops WindowsXP installation partition? (using KillDisk presumably[?]) And if I do so, will I be able to use an OEM WindowsXP Pro #
disk from another machine (and type in the correct registration number???)

Any advice much appreciated... !

With thanks


Ship

 

[whs]

I would first try SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes. The problem with the security suites is that they are difficult to uninstall - and you cannot run the next one before the first one is completely uninstalled. E.g. Norton needs the Norton Removal Tool and McAfee requires the MCPR.exe. Kaspersky, Norton and McAfee are probably the best. They each have different strength.
There are also on-line scanners. This is a very good one: http://www.virustotal.com/

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi

I now have about 1.5GB of personal data that JUST MIGHT have a trojan/virus in it.

- What is the best way to totally clean up my data?

I was thinking of installing SEVERAL anti-virus applications all on one WinXP laptop computer - albeit just on a temporary basis (e.g.
- AVG and
- Avast and
- Kasperky and
- Norton and
- MacAfee
- others ???)
and then running each of them in turn across a copy of the data to see if any problems are spotted.

...But is this wise?

Presumably I could also install malware specialist software such as:
- malwarebytes anti-malware
- spybot search and destroy
- superantispyware
- others?

BACKGROUND
I had a PC that definitely became infected with several quite nasty trojans. I have now run several things across the data (e.g. AVG and Kasperky), and taken the data off PC, formatted the disk (I think), and have completely re-installed Windows7 from original DVD.

I am deeply paranoid because I dont want to infect my office with any nasties!

The data is currently sitting on my WindowsXP laptop. And I was thinking of doing loads of scan on the laptop and if OK, then copying the data back onto my Windows7 machine, and formatting the laptops's hard disk just in case,
One problem is that I am worried that my (Lenovo T60) laptop's special WindowsXP installation partition might have become infected too. But the laptop never came with any WindowsXP CDs so if I format that I'll be somewhat screwed.

Questions:

1. Is it okay to run more than one anti-viral at once on the same PC?

2. Whic anti-virals do you recommend I use?

3. Should I format the laptops WindowsXP installation partition? (using KillDisk presumably[?]) And if I do so, will I be able to use an OEM WindowsXP Pro #
disk from another machine (and type in the correct registration number???)

Any advice much appreciated... !

With thanks


Ship

Ship Hi and welcome

1-running more than one AV is usually a no no. Most ppl dont. I do. The ones I use play nicely together and each pick up things the other miss.

2- I use Eset Smart security (NOD32 with a firewall) and Microsoft security essentials. ESS gives less false positives than MSE and each pick up on a different subset of nasties. They both have a small footprint and use minimum resources.

3- If you are that paranoid (and being paranoid doesnt mean you are wrong) Format. You can do a clean install with either OEM , or almost any win 7 image. You dont need to install XP first google it.

Hope this has helped and let us know if we can help

Kenn J+

 

[Dinesh]

I agree with Ken and whs.
Scan it using eset and mse.
After that, scan the 1.5 gb data using malwarebytes and superantispyware for leftovers.

My recommendation: Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight
You dont need anything else.

 

[Creer]

The best and the fastest way will be use restore image of your system to previous state - ~5-10 min and your system is clean and smooth as it was when you did backup image.

 

[whs]

The best and the fastest way will be use restore image of your system to previous state - ~5-10 min and your system is clean and smooth as it was when you did backup image.

Absolutely agree. But that takes some planning. I doubt the OP has images, else he would not be here.

 

[shiphen]

The best and the fastest way will be use restore image of your system to previous state - ~5-10 min and your system is clean and smooth as it was when you did backup image.

Absolutely agree. But that takes some planning. I doubt the OP has images, else he would not be here.

Correct - I do not have any images of my system. I would love to know how to do it - particularly for my Windows7 machine which is nice and clean at the moment - about 5 hours worth of installation effort so far.

 

[whs]

Nothing easier than that. See this: http://www.sevenforums.com/software/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html Piece of cake. From my Skydrive you can download additional info: http://cid-475a0a48ca6d4035.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Macrium%20Tutorial/Macrium.zip

 

[7mm]

If cleaning is the only way you wants, than delete them all. Either way, using AVG & Avast free will do the same, albeit to the infected files only. Since you're willing to give your time & required effort to play with several AV, for best possible results & to user's all satisfaction, I'd suggest using trials of the top players one after another. Say, install Norton AV 2010 trial & update it. Scan your data & see if it repairs / disinfect the file. Avoid delete & quarantine options. Now remove Norton with Norton removal tool & try McAfee latest with updates. Do the same with NOD32, Bitdefender & Kaspersky. Delete the files which never got fixed by any of the AV. I know it's a time consuming process & can be a frustrating at times but for saving your infected data, this is the best possible way.

 

[Greg S]

My recommendation: Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight
You dont need anything else.

I've found the above to be the most doable. I've cleaned several friends PC's with it and it's always worked. After using that, I would use SAS and MBAM and both found very little after using Hitman Pro.

 

[jav]

I would recommend bootable Rescue CDs..

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/54115-help-any-advice-trojans-removal.html#post496318