What's "kosher" in virus/spyware/etc removal?

[Joseph F]

I'm thinking about putting out an ad in the local grocery store for PC repair, and I was wondering what combination of software is considered "kosher" (as in, the standard to be benchmarked upon) in terms of virus and spyware removal.
In the past, when fixing PCs for friends, I've used SuperAntiSpyware to remove the "fake anti-virus" virus.
What else should I be using to ensure I clean up everything?
Furthermore, what free firewall/anti-virus/anti-spyware should I be installing on their PCs once I'm finished cleaning up?
(I'll mostly be fixing WinXP systems, probably. But, I may encounter some Vista and 7 systems as well.)

 

[janas19]

McAfee, Norton, and Symantec are the "establishment" of virus removal. The only problem is they are paid so I don't know how you would install them when done.

Malware Bytes is a great freeware spyware removal tool.

I would use CCleaner to clean up the registry, and plain old Windows Disk Cleaner/Defragger to get things really nice.

 

[denis280]

McAfee, Norton, and Symantec are the "establishment" of virus removal. The only problem is they are paid so I don't know how you would install them when done.

Malware Bytes is a great freeware spyware removal tool.

I would use CCleaner to clean up the registry, and plain old Windows Disk Cleaner/Defragger to get things really nice.

Yes when fixing pc you have to make sure to put easy software.if you dont want them to call you back cause they dont understand.

 

[stargazr]

Avast free AV + Superantispyware works well for me in these situations. Also sometimes the Malwarebytes free program previously mentioned will find more stuff the others missed.

 

[Joseph F]

Yes when fixing pc you have to make sure to put easy software.if you dont want them to call you back cause they dont understand.

Yeah, I definitely don't want to deal with non tech-savvy people on the phone. I'm horrible at over-the-phone support.

 

[corkyg]

MalwareBytes is very good, and it marries well with Microsoft Security Essentials. That's what I would use.

 

[Matt1970]

I use Malwarebytes, Spybot and Super Anti-Spyware typicly in that order. I will then follow up with Advanced System Care which has a bunch of stuff all in one. You will also need a good rootkill. Avast and AVG are the Anti-Virus programs I typicly use. Keep a copy of every version of Windows you can get your hands on.

 

[lenjack]

Don't use anything with bacon, ham, or pork in the software.

 

[daveybrat]

Yeah, I definitely don't want to deal with non tech-savvy people on the phone. I'm horrible at over-the-phone support.

Good luck with that. What kind of people do you think will be calling you that find your ad in a supermarket? Lol 😉

 

[Joseph F]

Good luck with that. What kind of people do you think will be calling you that find your ad in a supermarket? Lol 😉

What I meant is, I don't want to try explaining complicated issues over the phone.
I'm hoping that most of the issues I get called for will warrant a delivery of the broken computer.

 

[BoomerD]

Macafee Security Scan Plus.

Your mom REALLY does know best...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2222108


😛

 

[Charlie98]

Good luck with that. What kind of people do you think will be calling you that find your ad in a supermarket? Lol 😉

I learned a rule of advertising thumb... only advertise where you want your customers to come from... If you advertise everywhere, that's where your customers will come from... and I don't mean that in a good way. Pick and choose.

As far as AV... I use MSE, Norton and clean everything up with SuperAntiSypware and SpyBot. But I need to check out Malwarebytes... :hmm:

I've given up on McAfee... :thumbsdown:

 

[Puppies04]

AVG free and spybot would be my choice.

 

[QueBert]

Spybot
Superantispyware
Hitman Pro
Hijack This

for AV I like Avast free or AVG free. Hitman Pro's not free but the trial works for 30 days, everything else is free.

 

[daveybrat]

I do this kind of thing for a living. Been doing it now for over 13 years. Virus removal is my #1 source of income.

Here is what is use to remove infections the proper way:

Of course boot to safe mode first, and then run:

1) Tdsskiller

2) Roguekiller

3) Combofix

4) Malwarebytes

5) Superantispyware

6) Avira Free Antivirus

7) Spybot S&D

8) Unhide.exe (to unhide what most infections hide)

9) Ccleaner

10) Remove their antivirus and install Microsoft Security Essentials and run a scan


Haven't had anyone come back after running everything in that order yet. 🙂

 

[raf051888]

Another recommendation for Malwarebytes and MSE. With Security Essentials the status is really easy to explain... if the icon is not green take a glance at it. Their will be a button that tells what needs to be done once the application is open.