Tech For The Not-So-Techie: DIY Virus/Malware Removal

Oh noes is right!

So you have malware on your computer, and you just want it to go away. Problem is, you don't want to have to bring your computer to a repair shop... not if you don't have to, at least. Well, here's a little "how-to" to get you on your way. Hopefully after you follow these steps, you computer will be good to go!

First, the prep work. Lets get the computer into safe mode and build a toolkit for ourselves!

1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking. Not sure how to do this? Here are some links to directions straight from Microsoft. :
   • For Windows XP
   • For Windows Vista
   • For Windows 7
2. Open a browser, and download Rkill. Here is a link it the download site:
   RKill (Click on Rkill.exe Download Link)
3. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-malware. Here's the download site:
   Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from Download.com
4. Download and save Trend Micro HouseCall. Don't worry, this is the last thing I will ask you to download, haha. Here is the download link:
   Trend Micro HouseCall Free Online Virus Scan 

Ok, now that you have all of the tools you need, lets get to the actual malware removal part!

Be sure you are still in safe mode at this point!

1. Run Rkill.exe. Some command prompt screens will probably pop up and close on their own. Don't be scared, this is ok!
2. Close the Notepad document that opens after Rkill is finished doing it's thing.
3. Open Malwarebytes
4. Select "Perform full scan" and click the scan button. The scan may take quite a while, so I suggest finding something to keep you occupied.
5. When the scan finishes, click on the "Delete All" button, and then close Malwarebytes.
6. Run Trend Micro HouseCall. (HouseCallLauncher.exe)
   It will download some updates when you open it, don't let it worry you. Then just accept the license agreement and click next.
7. Click the little "Settings" links, underneath the giant "Scan Now" button.
8. Select "Full system scan", then click the "Ok" button.
9. Click the "Scan Now" button.
   Again, this could take a while, so find something to read, or clean your house, or something. :-)
10. If anything is found, proceed to click the "Fix Now" button. If not, just close Trend Micro HouseCall.



All better! Yay!

11. If HouseCall asks you to restart your computer, and do so. If not, restart the computer yourself.

You may be wondering why I had you scan with HouseCall after you already scanned with Malwarebytes. Well, I have a couple of reasons.

1. Malwarebytes checks primarily for malware and spyware/ HouseCall checks for some of that too, but also for nasty viruses.
2. While that may seem a little redundant, I like to use both just to be on the safe side. There have been a couple instances where one caught something the other didn't catch. Think of it like getting a second opinion from someone who is not your primary doctor. :-)

There you go! Your computer should hopefully be fine now. And you avoided a computer bill. Congratulations!

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Questions and comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Yes, I read them! And yes, I will reply to you!

And as always...

Thanks for reading! :-)