Stop viruses and spyware on computers with Internet access

Computer viruses, adware, spyware and hacker intrusion are a major problem these days for Windows users with Internet access. Computer networking connects you to the world, but it also connects the world to you. But with proper care It is possible to reduce problems associated with Internet security to a minimum. A number of excellent products are available at reasonable cost, and there is very good computer software that can be downloaded free of charge for virus and spyware detection and removal. Low price routers are available for normal and wireless networking that have built-in hardware firewalls to protect you and keep you safe from intruders and malicious software. These offer basic continuous background protection from worms and attacks. Firewall software is also available as a free download, and offers protection keyed specifically to the computer it is installed on. Antivirus programs keep viruses from coming in over the network and getting into your Windows system. There is however no single cure to the malware problems that Internet users face these days. It is necessary to use a number of separate products in concert to keep your computer safe from malware and working properly.

This site offers expert how-to guidance to help Windows XP and Windows 2000 users in preventing virus, spyware and adware problems associated with using the Interne and keeping out intruders, as well as helpful instructions for cleaning up your computer when it gets infected. The proven techniques prevented here are based on several years of experience by the author in providing telephone support for Microsoft Windows customers.

Keeping your computer safe when you have Internet access

In dealing with thousands of customers with virus and spyware problems, it became obvious that the problems were occurring with users who failed to take a few simple steps, and that users who follow these steps have far fewer problems. Then one call brought the problem into sharp focus, and made it clear to me that anyone can learn how to keep their computer free of viruses, adware and spyware. Read the story of how I came to make this Web site. Based on this experience, I have formulated a short, easy checklist of things you should do to keep malicious software (malware) and hackers off of your computer. This checklist for protecting your computer also forms the core of the procedures below for cleaning your computer of malware. Internet access using computer networking has its cost, but this can be minimized. Follow this easy checklist to keep your computer safe from hackers, protected from intruders, and safe from virus, spyware and adware. You can insure your safety while using the Internet, and preserve your privacy. Note that the steps in the checklist use free downloads, the one exception being a router, and if I find out a way for you to get a free router, rest assured I will post it here!

Help for cleaning your computer of malicious software

If you are currently having problems with your computer and you suspect malware such as viruses, spyware and adware may be the cause, or if you have been directed here by a support technician, this site offers three separate sets of instructions to follow, depending on whether you have Internet access in normal mode, must restart your computer to safe mode with networking to obtain Internet access, or have no Internet access even in safe mode with networking. In each of the procedures your computer is scanned in safe mode for maximum benefit. Use one of these procedures if you are experiencing more than minor problems, if you are getting more than occasional pop-ups, or if your networking performance appears to be below normal. Also use it if Internet Explorer functions abnormally, or you find yourself being hijacked to Web sites other than the ones you want to go to, particularly when searching the Web. All of these procedures use free downloads to rid your computer of viruses, spyware and adware.

Procedure A - Internet Access in Normal Mode

This is a good, thorough basic scan of your system, to be used when you have Internet access in normal mode. You will be downloading programs that you need for the procedure with your computer operating in normal mode, and then running the scans with your computer rebooted in safe mode.

Procedure A: Internet access in normal mode

Procedure B - Internet Access only Safe Mode With Networking

This is a scanning procedure that can be used when you no longer have network connectivity when starting your computer in normal mode, but do have Internet access in safe mode with networking. See Can I Connect to the Network in Safe Mode with Networking? for a discussion on what network connection types will function in safe mode with networking. Note that severe malware infestation as well as faults in your system may prevent connecting to a network even in safe mode with networking. In that event use Procedure C, below. Procedure B is much the same as Procedure A, except that you will be using safe mode with networking to download the software to be used in scanning your system.

Procedure B: Internet access only in safe mode with networking

Procedure C - Scan a Computer without Internet Access

This procedure is used when you cannot connect to the Internet, even when booting into safe mode with networking. Also use this procedure if your computer will no longer boot to normal mode, but will boot to safe mode, and you have reason to suspect that the problem lies with malware. You will be downloading the necessary scanning software and definition files using another computer and saving everything you need to a CD or other external medium, then performing your adware scans and an initial virus scan in safe mode, before rebooting to normal mode for an online virus scan.

Procedure C: no Internet access

Note that Procedure C requires that as a minimum you be able to boot to safe mode. Procedure C you should normally be able to return your computer to normal functioning in cases where the malfunctioning was caused by malware. If there are other causes for your computer's malfunctioning, or if Procedure C fails to return your system to normal functioning, you will need assistance from a qualified technician, your computer manufacturer or Microsoft tech support.

After scanning with antivirus or antispyware programs, you may no longer have network connectivity

This doesn't happen frequently but it is a possibility. If malware is removed that has made changes to your networking stack, the process of removal may on occasion result in the corruption of your networking stack, and leave you unable to connect to your network. If this happens, use the steps in How to repair the networking stack to get back where you can connect to the Internet.