What do pros use to remove virus / spyware ? 4

[blueribb]

I build, upgrade and repair computers and lately have been overwhelmed with computers clogged with viruses and spyware. When I try to enter windows (XP) and install or run Norton, Spybot or Ad Aware, many of these computers will not respond or allow installations since they are so clogged up.

Do they make a bootable antivirus/spyware remover program for Windows XP / Windows 2000 Pro ?

What do the pros use to remove bugs after the HD is infected ?

Thank in advance

 

[jbrackett]

Funny, you got me curious about this. Anyone can build a bootable FAT disk and add AV functionality into it, but NTFS is a stickier problem. Looking into this I came across this little item.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

I've never heard of it before now, and so obviously have never used it, but it looks like a handy solution to your question. Anyone else here used it?

"The Crystal Wind is the storm, and the storm is data, and the data is life. You have been slaves, denied the storm, denied the freedom of your data. That is now ended; the whirlwind is upon you . . . . . . Whether you like it or not."

"Trent the Uncatchable" in The Long Run by Daniel Keys Moran

 

[blueribb]

I came across this website a couple months ago and found it very interesting. I think this will accomplish what I'm looking for BUT it has to be built (slipstreamed) using his files and WinXP files. I guess if I sat down and took my time, it could be done.

I guess if there is nothing else readily available, I should contact the author of pebuilder and discuss my needs.

Thanks

any other suggestions ?

 

[blueribb]

I downloaded BartPE and followed the easy instructions. I had a completed disk made within 10 minutes. Very easy to understand and run.

This looks like the solution to my problem.

Great Program !

 

[mattjurado]

This is something we've been craving too. Sucks to have to reload the whole os because some moron downloaded a spyware, and now you cannot boot to safe mode. We've been contemplating loading goback or some other utility on all our machines, because every day we have another machine to reload. Its endless.

Viruses don't seem to be nearly as destructive as they once were (although who knows when that will change), but this spyware/adware epidemic is bad. We have to use 2, someimes 3 tools (ad-aware, pestpatrol, spysweeper). Its really bad, we'll have a look at this, thanks for the tip.

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[UKalliance]

We are also going to download a copy of this program and see how we find it. keep you posted...

________________________________________

The Collective known as
The UK Alliance
________________________________________

 

[zebratech]

Bcastner recommended Barts site several months ago. Have used it many times and consider the customized disks I can create a major tool in the kit.

Been away for a while and was suprised to see the new look on the website. Good going!



Unix IS user friendly... It's just selective about who its friends are.

 

[hhjones43]

I often remove the hard drive from the infected machine and lash it up to my shop computer. This enables me to scan the drive without anything on that drive running (such as viruses or spyware). Also, my experience has been that Norton is just not up to the task. I've used eTrust from Computer Associates, but about a year ago moved to Panda and found it very effective at getting rid of just about anything. I also use AntiVirus Gold (AVG) from Grisoft. Between the two of them, I have been able to get rid of everything I've run up against. For the spyware/malware stuff, the combination of AdAware and Spybot can't be beat. Finally, for the browser hijackers, there is Hiijack This! and CWShredder. You can typically find these at

http://www.zdnet.com

 

[amen1973]

I have to agree with mattjurado, viruses seem to be a lot less destructive then they once were. In todays age Spyware/Adware/Maleware/Hijackers are so out of hand they bring a system to a halt. The problem is most of the normal everyday users are clueless to the world of spyware. They ask what is wrong with my computer. You tell them you are invested with tons of spyware. When you say that, they get the look of a deer looking into headlights. The local news lets users know about the latest virus out in the wild but they rarely mention anything about spyware. I use many tools to clean a system from viruses and spyware. At work, the bench computers have the corporate version of Nortons. I began boycotting Nortons after the release of NAV 2004. The resources that it uses are just rediculous. Not to mention they never can get the uninstall process down correct in their software. I had to make my own tools to completely remove Files and registry entries from the system because if you try to reinstall or install a new version, NAV will not work in most cases with existing files left over. For spyware, I use Ad-Aware, Spybot, About:Buster, Hijackthis, CWShredder, and a few other tools. CWshredder project was closed a couple months ago. I only use that on old versions of CWS. Todays new hijackers on NTFS systems use ADS. If you know where to look they are typically easy to remove. They are typically About:Blank variants. I do have to say one thing, I have never let spyware get the best of me and have never had to do a wipe/reload from spyware related problems. I do a lot of research just about every night to stay up on the subject.

 

[blueribb]

I made up a computer to assist in removing viruses and spyware. I also attach the infected hard drive to this computer as a slave drive allowing easier access to files.

I've found that it's very time consuming to try and rid a drive that's full of viruses and spyware, so I usually agree to try and back up data rather that remove bugs. Then I do a clean sweep and reformat the drive. Recovering data and files is pretty easy and fast once you get the hang of it. Even if the boot sector is wiped, you can usually access the drive when configured as a slave on another machine. There are also some really good data recovery software available as freeware and shareware that get's the job done.

I composed a letter and hand a copy to every one of my customers. I'll attach it here for you to read:

Viruses, Malware, Adware, Spyware, Browser Hijackers, Tracking Cookies


Maybe you've heard of one or all of the above.

These are software bugs that infect your computers hard drive and can slow it down or even bring it to a complete
halt. Some can affect only your internet session and cause havoc while surfing.

You can catch these bugs by opening email attachments and by downloading things from the internet.

Should you stop all email and downloading ? Of course not.

But, you should understand the risk of opening an email attachment or downloading that cute Weather Bug program that tells you the outside temperature.

How do you know what's safe to open or download ? Good question.

Using Google.com as your search buddy, you can usually determine whether or not "Weather Bug", "Shoppers Search Bar", or any one of a million+ programs are safe to download or click on.

Emails from Microsoft, eBay, your bank or any foreign country are almost always scams. These emails contain viruses and should be discarded immediately.

Sure it may take you a few minutes to find this information, but it will save a technician hours of time reloading all your software and may save you hundreds of dollars and most important, it may save your important files and data.

We work hard to put your computer back to the fastest and most enjoyable condition but cannot be held responsible for re-infections due to email attachments or downloaded programs which contain spyware, malware or browser hijackers.

Learn to run and update your Spyware Removal programs frequently and keep your Anti-Virus program updated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Important data: Document Files, Personal Pictures, MP3 Files, etc.


You are responsible for backing up all personal files and documents on floppy disks, CD-R disks or tape cartridges before bringing your computer in for repair.

We can attempt to recover your files but it can be very time consuming and may cost hundreds of dollars.

In some instances, we cannot recover files that are lost due to a defective hard drive or deletion.

Be wise, backup all your important files regularly !

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Warranty: What it does not cover


1. Re-infections of viruses or spyware of any type.
2. Problems caused by any additional hardware or software installed or removed by customer.
3. Power Surges due to storms or electrical malfunctions.
4. Any problem unrelated to a previous repair.

 

[bfralia]

I just had to add this:

It used to be that a virus tried to reformat your computer and ruin your computer. Today they want to ruin your life by stealing your bank account number, you passwords and pins.

Bring back the good old days!

 

[colin020876]

boot into safe mode and run spybot 1.3 and stinger latest version .

 

[colin020876]

am running spybot 1.3 with tea timer , sypware guard , spyware blaster ,spyware sweeper ,installed sp2 and running zone alarm security suite. dont have any problem with spyware anymore

 

[orypecos]

I don't understand this post by blueribb .
How can google tell u whether a program is safe?
"Using Google.com as your search buddy, you can usually determine whether or not "Weather Bug", "Shoppers Search Bar", or any one of a million+ programs are safe to download or click on.

 

[tazuk]

orypecos

If you search for information using google (or indeed any search engine) on a program or file you can sift through the returned information to establish what others have discovered about the program or file with the use of search keywords.

Example quotes indicate search terms
1) search on Google using "SmileyCentral"
-- returns SmileyCentral site
2) search on Google using "SmileyCentral spyware"
-- returns discussions / info about spyware components within SmileyCentral
3) search on Google GROUPS using "SmileyCentral spyware"
-- returns newsgroup discussions about spyware components.

All blueribb is encouraging the reader to do is to research what you are about to download before you do so.

HTH






TazUk

Blue-screening PCs since 1998

 

[itexprt]

blueribb

START

RUN

MSCONFIG

Look under the STARTUB TAB in the Microsoft Configuration Utility. If you see any spyware/adware/virus running in the startup, on the left side of the item's profile select the
CHECKMARK from the CHECKBOX to disable it.