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Testing for spyware?

Nocturnal

Nocturnal

Lifer
After you remove all traces of spyware with whatever programs you use, how do you check for certain that all instaces are gone? The thing is, I fix computers for a living and once I get rid of all the stuff with the programs I use and there are no more pop ups or slow downs, I figure hey, it's done. However, I've noticed before that if I wait a while once in a great while I will notice a pop up that is still around. How do you know for certain if it's gone?
 
I can't say that I fix computers for a living but I have worked on several computers for pay. If possible, the best solution is to format the hard drive and do a clean install of the OS. That's the only way to be absolutely sure no malware remains in the system.

Now, I realize this isn't always feasible. In such case, what else can you do but use multiple tools to clean up the system, and perhaps use the computer for a longer test period after you think it's completely clean to give yourself greater assurance it's clean. I believe this testing phase should include numerous restarts of the computer and numerous web browsing sessions, assuming, of course, that you have anti-virus and firewall running during these test sessions to avoid new infestations.

After you do multiple scans with multiple cleanup tools, also use Task Manager to see what processes are running, and make sure there are none there that should not be there. This may require significant research time.

In addition to the tools mentioned in another post, I suggest using CCleaner.



 
always run hijackthis in normal mode after you're done scanning to ensure there are no services/startup items installed which re-install the spyware you just removed.
 
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