Get Rid of Stubborn Malware.

[Bill2]

I found these 10 tips for getting rid of STUBBORN malware. They're slightly different from the usual ones, so I thought I'll share it here.

10 tips for getting rid of stubborn malware | News | TechRadar UK

 

[Adrian]

I found these 10 tips for getting rid of STUBBORN malware. They're slightly different from the usual ones, so I thought I'll share it here.

10 tips for getting rid of stubborn malware | News | TechRadar UK

Well done!

 

[front243]

I have a comment about step 5:

If you know the name of the infection plaguing your PC, try Googling its name and the word "removal" to see if any specific tools are available that could help.

You should be very careful of doing this as you could end up with even more malware if you don't download from a reputable source. It might be even safer to search on https://groups.google.com/ where you can find advice on other forums.

 

[Corrine]

Jan posted link to this article in April when it was published. (See http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/81014-10-tips-getting-rid-stubborn-malware.html). Since I disagree with some of the points of the article, I'll repeat my comments here for completeness:

Although some of the tips are good, the article's toolkit and instructions are not correct or incomplete.

Since the article is directed to the general public, the suggested registry edits should first include instructions for backing up the registry.

Note the following as well:

1) Unless an internet connection is re-established, additional instructions are needed in order to install the latest MBAM dat files.

2) Although MBAM works in safe mode, it is intended to work in normal mode. Since some malware is not active in safe mode, it is best, if at all possible, to scan in normal mode.

3) ComboFix is not a "free-for-all" tool and should only be used with the guidance of a trained malware expert.

4) The same can be said for HijackThis. A novice should not be removing things with HJT.

5) Installing and running a massive list of random tools without knowing what is needed is unnecessary.

6) S!Ri's SmitfraudFix has not been updated in about a year. He is a Malwarebytes Researcher.

7) CWS? Come on. When was the last time anyone saw CoolWebSearch? TrendMicro hasn't updated it in years -- probably since obtaining it from Merijn.

8) The site for Virus Effect Remover is identified as being "Under Construction", thus not a tool I would recommend.