As it states in the head line.
What programs do you use to clean a PC of Virus/Malware/Trojans.. and all that other fun stuff.
I tend to use
Malwarebytes
NOD32 Antivirus
Hitman Pro
adwcleaner
Cheers
WAX
I don't actually remember the last time I needed to remove a virus. It was ages ago. I tend to use software to check for infections but they never find anything other than a few false positives.
Agreed with Callender. I run a few third party scanners for peace of mind, but I'd rather prevent a virus or malware from getting to my system, rather than try to remove it. If I were to get some bug (haven't in a very long time) I would try to determine how it bypassed my defense, then use my recent image back up. Maybe a bit more extreme for the everyday user, but it works for me.
I use the built-in Defender on Windows 10, Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 installs. However for the past year I've installed Panda Cloud free on 7 installs were the user is prone to infection because it is a bit more aggressive while still having a very low performance hit.
I always install Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware scanners for when users suspect they are infected, or to regularly scan every 2-3 months.
If someone is regularly infected, I install the MB trial and urge them to buy it after 30 day trial. None of these have ever been infected again. Most were getting caught up by fake AV scanner scams which come in on a webpage popup and look official enough that users click on them and infect themselves. These are as deadly as their cousins, Registry Cleaner ads, which are always scams and show up here ruining Win7 about once per week. Use CCleaner Reg Cleaner only.
Smart browsing is always important. Be aware of what Add-Ons or Extensions are operating on your browsers. I dont' allow anything except Flash, Silverlight, a reader helper and my standard Firefox translator and download manager.
Any installed Google program or staying signed into their sites is pernicious spyware which follows you every where you go pasting ads. For this reason I dont' install any google (Chrome, etc) or stay signed into their sites (YouTube). I also avoid interest ads for the most part by regularly running Opt Out of Network Advertising.
I agree with Callender and Berkey. If you aim at preventing malware in the first place, you only need scanners to verify that you're clean(from known malware mostly that is). I never expect it to find something and I therefor never have to clean/delete anything.
One of the reasons to the preventing approach for me is that you shouldn't put all "hope" to malware scanners. They will always be one step behind the bad guys.
All Technicians What Virus/Malware removal programs do you use?
Better question: What can I do to improve my protection so I'm hopefully never infected again?
I see you have Win 7 Pro so here's my single best advice for you: SRP (Software Restriction Policy)
I wrote about it recently here: Best protection against malware?
Thanks everyone for your feed back. I should have clarified a bit at the first. I agree with everything you guys are saying, I have never had any issue with viruses/malware or the like my self for along time. I'm actually a service tech that works at a small mom & pop type repair place. As I see a majority of the laptops/desktops that come in with viruses and malware. I was just wondering what other techs (or just other savvy computer user) use to clean others/their own infected computers.
WAX
I guess that you'd find most of the commonly used tools mentioned in the various "How To" videos on this site:
Malware Removal, Tools and Repairs Archives - Malware Removal, PC Repair and How-to Videos
Malware Archives - Malware Removal, PC Repair and How-to Videos
My own experience: If malware was found - roll back to a clean system image backup. I've always got a selection of backups available.
Other family members' experience of repair shops offering virus/ malware removal services: Those shops just tend to copy the users data to a CD then reinstall windows and apply updates rather than attempt an actual fix.
In addition to others above and assuming the system has just now been imaged:
Farbar Recovery Scan Tool, MiniToolBox and/or Smeenk's ZOEK
Grinler's RKill
ESET's Online Scanner
Thisisu's Junkware Removal Tool
...and with great reluctance, sUBs' ComboFix. Unless it's use is accompanied by the truly properly trained.
Last edited by 1PW; 05 Feb 2015 at 14:56.
Depending on the situation (severity) it may take various programs to remedy a situation. One program may catch something the other doesn't. To be sure I like to use the following...
Kaspersky Rescue Disk; Bitdefender Rescue Disk; Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Adwcleaner; Emsisoft Emergency Kit; HerdProtect; Junkware Removal Tool.
Quote