How to effectively remove viruses from your computer (PC version)
This works for me and has never failed.
*Disclaimer: Use at your own risk. I will not be responsible if you do something wrong and end up wiping your data. This is how I see it. If you are smart enough to use STEEMIT then you should be smart enough to follow these steps which were provided to you as a guide.
If you suspect that you may have a computer virus you should try the following.
Step 1: Download and install Malwarebytes software.
-Link: https://www.malwarebytes.com/
-There’s no need to buy it. The free version is perfect.
-Make sure you updated the software before going to the next step.
Step2: Run a scan by clicking “Scan Now” button (located at the bottom in blue with white text)
-This will run a brief scan on your system.
-Be patient and allow it to finish. Trust me it’s worth the time to wait than the money you’ll end up paying for someone to recover your data.
-Once completed if there are any malware listed then you continue. If no malware was listed then, run a full thorough scan with your own antivirus software. Be sure to update it first.
Step3: Download and run AdwCleaner on your computer.
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
-Click “Scan”. This should be quick.
-After scan is complete, click “Clean”. This will clean out all adware from your computer.
-It will ask you to “restart” the computer. Restart it.
Step4: Download and run JRT (Junkware Removal Tool).
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/junkware-removal-tool/
-This is a software will open a DOS Window. Allow it to run it’s course.
-When it’s done it will close and display a log. The log will list the junkware deleted by JRT.
Step4a: FOR WINDOWS 7 USERS ONLY!!
-Disable “Auto-Protect” on your antivirus. Then download and run Combofix
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/
-Allow it to run its course and finish
-Computer will restart and display a log.
Step5:Download and run TFC (Temp File Cleaner)
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tfc/
-Click “Start” to run it.
-Once completed, Exit.
Step6: Download and run TDSSKiller (This scans and tries to remove Rootkits)
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/tdsskiller/
-Click “Start Scan” to scan it.
-Once completed, exit.
-The next step will take a very long time.
Step7: Run Malwarebytes again. But this time you will run a “Custom” Scan.
-Click on “SCAN”, between “Dashboard” and “Settings”
-Select “Custom Scan”, then click “Configure Scan”
-Check the box “Scan for Rootkits” also select the “C:” Check box, if you have multiple hard drives and wish to scan them, select them as well.
-After selecting your drives. Start the scan. Keep in mind that this may take a really long time so plan on a movie or a date or something so you are not bored. The longest scan I have encountered was about 5 hrs long. You must also make absolute sure that you have disabled Sleep and Hibernate on your computer, because it would really suck if you left it scanning for 4-5 hrs and returning after all that time only to find that it scanned for 15 mins then went to sleep.
-Once scan is completed, Quarantine the malware it will then ask you to restart. Don’t restart just yet.
-Click “History” and click “Delete All” this will wipe all malware from your system for good.
-Close.
Step8: Download “Autoruns”
-Link: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/autoruns/
-After downloading it, right button click on it and “run as Administrator”
-Give it a minute to fully scan the reg. entries on your system
-Scroll down and select all the entries that are listed in pink and yellow.
-Once you’ve reached the bottom. Exit (No saving necessary).
Step9: Start your browser and disable any unknown plugins on your browser.
-If you are doubtful then search the plugin in Google as, “what is (name of plugin without parenthesis)”
Step 10: Restart your computer. Sit back and enjoy your freshly cleaned computer.
Keep in mind that antivirus software DOES NOT make you invincible. Look at it like this, your antivirus software is like a door it only stops the uninvited especially if it has a firewall built in to it. Question everything think twice about going to a website that is new to you or when opening an email from an unknown source, from someone you know about an unrelated subject matter.