Hi Shawn;
AOL's AVS or AntiVir are currently highly recommend by those who seem to be
in the know.
Here are some applications you may wish to utilize:
---
Roll your own Security Suite for free #1.
Real-time Anti-Virus Scanning Engines.
Select one (1) only!
Active Virus Shield - Kaspersky Labs, courtesy of AOL - FREE
(
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp)
**Do NOT install the AOL security toolbar, most experts consider it to be
spyware**.
AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic - FREE
(
http://www.free-av.com/antivirus/allinonen.html)
AVG - Grisoft
(
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1) - FREE
Avast! - ALWIL Software - FREE
(
http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html)
OR
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/
Free trial version for one full year
OR
http://www.f-secure.com/protectyourpc/
Special Offer for Microsoft Customers: 6 Months
Free Trial Subscription for F-Secure Anti-Virus!
--
It is considered imprudent to have two fully installed
anti virus applications installed at the same time.
Do not run more than one real-time anti-virus scanning engine!
Ensure that the automatic update facility is engaged only for
the real-time scanning engine. Also, if you decide downloading one
of the above av applications disable the e-mail scanning function
during installation as it provides no additional protection.
In fact, most of experts believe that scanning incoming and outgoing
mail causes e-mail file corruption.
---
Every anti-spyware application (most anti-virus applications are not) is
programmed to look for certain items and is dependent on the status of its
definitions/reference files. It's very unusual for two or more applications
to look for and/or find exactly the same things. This is why you need a
multipurpose approach to hijackware.
---
On-Demand Anti-Virus/Spyware Scanning Engines (non-viral malware...)
Select all!
Bit Defender - FREE
http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html
Ewido anti-spyware 4.0.0.172 - FREE
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
a-squared 2.0 - FREE
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
Ad-Aware - FREE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/index.htm
Spybot S&D - FREE
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html
SUPERAntiSpyware - FREE
http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
--
Windows Defender - FREE
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
---
The effectiveness of an individual AV scanners can be wide-ranging and
oftentimes a collection of AV scanners is best. There isn't one software
that cleans and immunizes you against everything. That's why you need
multiple products to do the job i.e. overlap their coverage - one may catch
what another may miss.
Be sure to keep the on-demand av scanner(s) updated prior performing a full
scan weekly with alternate scanning engines.
---
For a more 'challenging' infection (viral malware...)
(IMO, an application everybody should have in its arsenal of ammunition
against malware)
Download Art's KAVDOS.EXE - FREE (Abandon/CareWare)
http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/
and/or
David's MULTI_AV - FREE (Donation/Charity/CareWare)
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm or
MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe
Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm
---
After the software is downloaded and updated, it is suggested scanning
the system in Safe Mode.
---
Her are some more alternatives to consider:
Roll your own Security Suite for free #2.
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Roll_your_own_Free_Security_Suite
---
Also:
Prior av scanning and any downloading/installation operations, clean out the
clutter!
Cleaning Utilities
CrapCleaner - FREE
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Note: When you install Ccleaner, UNCHECK the Yahoo toolbar option.
Instructions for using CCleaner:
Before first use, check under Options, Advanced, and UNCHECK "Only delete
files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours".
If you have WindowsDefender installed, click the Applications tab, under
Utilities UNCHECK Windows Defender.
Under 'Options' you can manage your Cookies by either deleting and/or
keeping them.
A pop up box will appear advising this process will permanently delete files
from your system.
Then click the "Run Cleaner" button and it will scan and clean your system.
Click exit.
