How to Cleanup and Prevent Virus or Spyware

1. Ensure that all Windows security patches and updates have been applied (see http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us)
    
2. Run one or more FREE on-line/on-demand virus diagnostic scans, such as:

   To Detect and Remove:

   • Trend Micro's Housecall Online Virus Scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/us/index.aspx#   
   • SuperAntiSpyware Online Safe Scan at http://www.superantispyware.com/onlinescan.aspx 
   • PandaSoft's Cloud Cleaner at http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/support/card?id=1674
   • Microsoft's Safety Scanner at http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx (download expires after 10 days)  
   • Sophos portable HitManPro malware and ransomware rescue at https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx .

   Detection Only:

   • McAfee's Security Scan Plus at http://home.mcafee.com/downloads/free-virus-scan
   • Symantec Security check at http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=EUCJAZTJWUFJJSZOGIJ
   • BitDefender's OnLineScanner at http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.aspx 
   • PandaSoft's ActiveScan at http://www.pandasecurity.com/activescan/index/
   • Bleeping Computer's "Rkill" malware process termination (so you can then run a cleaner) at https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/111-rkill/
      
3. Download, install and run one or more Malware or Spyware cleaners, such as the following FREE programs and utilities:
   • Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware at http://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/ , Anti-Exploit at http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/ , and Adware/PUP Removal tools at https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/ 
   • AdwCleaner at http://general-changelog-team.fr/en/component/content/article/44-english/tutorials/software/313-how-to-use-adwcleaner-version-3-x
   • Spybot Search & Destroy at http://www.safer-networking.org/private/details/#Free  
   • Sophos Virus Removal Tool at https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/virus-removal-tool.aspx 
   • Zemana AntiMalware Scanner at https://zemana.com/AntiMalware
   • Sophos portable HitManPro malware rescue at https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx .
   • Ad-Aware AntiVirus at http://www.lavasoft.com/ 
   • SuperAntiSpyware at http://www.superantispyware.com/
   • Junkware Removal Tool at http://thisisudax.org/
   • AVG Anti-Spyware at http://free.avg.com/ 
   • Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool at http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/malware-removal.aspx 
   • Google's Software Removal Tool for Chrome at https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6086368 .
      
4. Install a Spyware preventer as part of an Internet Security package, or a FREE program such as: 
   • Malwarebytes Internet Browser Anti-exploit shield at  http://www.malwarebytes.org/antiexploit/
   • SpywareBlaster at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.aspx, or 
   • Microsoft's Security Essentials at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials .
      
5. Install an effective antivirus program. If you plan to uninstall your existing Internet Security product (such as Norton or McAfee), do so before installing another antivirus program. Highly regarded antivirus programs that are FREE for personal use on a single computer (and may offer paid stronger versions for commercial/business use) are:
   • AVG anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, e-mail and web link filter at http://free.avg.com/
   • Avast! antivirus plus remote access at http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
   • Avira antivirus and anti-rootkit at http://www.free-av.com/ 
   • Panda Free Anti-Virus 2015  at http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/  ; Install and Configure instructions at http://malwaretips.com/threads/how-to-install-panda-free-antivirus-2015.45614/#post-381340
   • Microsoft Security Essentials at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ .
      
6.  Consult a free malware removal help forum, such as:
   • Malware Removal Support Forum (by BlueTrack Internet Security Solutions)
   • Malware Removal Assistance  (by MalwareTips.com)
   • SpywareHammer (volunteer infection removal help)
   • Spyware Warrior (free spyware removal help) .
      
7. Configure the security settings in Windows as described in Configure Security in Windows.
    
8. Install or enable a Firewall, such as the following FREE programs:
   • Windows Firewall by Microsoft (in the Windows Control Center and described in Configure Security in Windows) 
   • ZoneAlarm at http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.aspx 
   • Comodo Personal Firewall at http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/ .
      
9. Install Microsoft's "Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET)" at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2458544 and configure it to protect specific programs installed on your computer. See "EMET Mitigations Guidelines" at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2909257/en-us.
    
10. Consider upgrading to the most recent stable and secure version of your Internet browser such as:

• Firefox 52 or later by Mozilla
• Google Chrome 57 or later by Google  (Windows XP support stopped April 2016)
• Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 8.1 and 10 by Microsoft
• Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8 by Microsoft
• Internet Explorer 9 or later in Windows 7 or Vista by Microsoft
• Internet Explorer 8 is the latest version compatible with Windows XP by Microsoft  {but no longer supported by Microsoft}
• Microsoft Edge is the default browser in Windows 10, but it also includes a link to Internet Explorer 11 (under "More Actions")
• Opera 43 or later by Opera Software
• Safari 10 or later on a Mac (Safari 5.1.7 on Windows) by Apple
• click here for other browser versions .