What's everyone using to remove mal ware?

Hmmmm pretty much a matter of opinion. It all depends on who you're talking too if it is good or not. There are just as many sites saying it is good as there are bad just like any of these programs. I have use MSE on previous computers and now Windows Defender with my windows 8.1. I have never had any major problems with it and they always seem to work fairly well. Is it the best??? who knows.... But it along with one or two of the other free programs have kept mine up and running cleanly. Kinda like when Windows 8 came out and every body was running around saying bout what a terrible OP system it was??? Well sorry but if you learn about it I think it is fantastic. I hate to even use an old machine now. Also these are anti spyware programs too, for free anti virus then Avast is one of the better freebies.

steelpony5555 wrote:

PS If you have a pre Windows 8 OS use Microsoft Security Essentials. If you have a Windows 8 machine then MSE will not work on it but Windows Defender has been updated to be equivalent to MSE.

Microsoft Security Essentials/Windows Defender may have been competitive years ago, but have tested consistently at or near the bottom for protection(detection) for some time through independent security testing.

Microsoft appears to have shifted their focus to providing security data to third party developers, and have lagged in their own free AV consumer product. Not really surprising, as its not an income generating operation, there being no paid consumer version available. And really doesn't make sense to incur additional expense of doing so when there are a number of free AV packages available from companies that do nothing but security development.

One has to ask the question if it really makes sense to rely on a product that lags behind other current free AV package in terms of detection? Which could allow enough of a hole to compromise one's system without the user even knowing it.

For daily use: Malwarebytes. 2.0 is out and seems to be a bit better, although an AV product on the top of the heap today can end up at rock bottom tomorrow.

If I find malware:

I wipe all drives, reload from a known safe backup. This takes about an hour or two, and gets all my files and such back exactly as before.

For recovering a machine without backups: I save all files (and try to save off serial numbers and CD keys) off to 2-3 USB flash drives (so I have multiple copies), put USB flash drives in a safe place, boot up a copy of DBAN (Derik's Boot & Nuke), wipe all hard disks, then reinstall from scratch. That way, any malware is well gone.

If I have to use software to de-louse a machine, I'd use Malwarebytes as well, but I far prefer a clean install so there is no chance of some executable stub lurking in some odd place being able to reinstall the bad stuff.

I have used Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials, and then Superantispyware and Malwarebytes for years. This combo has kept my system clean and running fine. Even when I get a bad bug, this combo although free, has found and killed it. I agree too that Norton and McAfee are virus in themselves. Just try to get them deleted off your machine... Dang near impossible.

PS If you have a pre Windows 8 OS use Microsoft Security Essentials. If you have a Windows 8 machine then MSE will not work on it but Windows Defender has been updated to be equivalent to MSE.

A lot of malware these days comes to you courtesy of the ads that are served up to websites by remote servers, beyond the control of the site you're actually viewing. Running ad blocking software can put a stop to this.

Preventing sites from freely running Javascript will also increase your security. I use an add on called NoScript with Firefox, and it makes a difference. Javascript does many legitimate and useful things, but it can also allow hackers to access your machine.

rk911 wrote:

tmmar wrote:
I downloaded malware bytes but they only give you a 'trial' program that expires after a week or two. Does anyone know of any other free malware removal programs that do a good job? I have Kapersky installed but not sure if that does malware removal.
Thanks

- Microsoft security essentials: PC is auto-scanned daily and real time protection is ON

- SuperAntiSpyware: PC is auto-scanned twice daily and real time protection is ON.

- SpywareBlaster: resides in memory and helps prevent spyware from infecting systems.

- MalwareBytes: PC is auto-scanned daily and real time protection is ON.

OK, I installed Spywareblaster and will try it for a while. I like to try different things on different computers.

Avast has boot time scan which very helpful, but can take some time to run. Catch them before they boot.

tmmar wrote:
I downloaded malware bytes but they only give you a 'trial' program that expires after a week or two. Does anyone know of any other free malware removal programs that do a good job? I have Kapersky installed but not sure if that does malware removal.
Thanks

- Microsoft security essentials: PC is auto-scanned daily and real time protection is ON

- SuperAntiSpyware: PC is auto-scanned twice daily and real time protection is ON.

- SpywareBlaster: resides in memory and helps prevent spyware from infecting systems.

- MalwareBytes: PC is auto-scanned daily and real time protection is ON.

burlmart wrote:

If I am gonna let someone freely scan my PC, I figure it may as well be MS. I mistrust them a bit less, I guess.

Only if one would want a less secure AV package in terms of protection. Acknowledged by Microsoft themselves as only offering basic protection.

Trust all you want, but your assumptions about MSE just does not follow research done by the major independent net security organizations. Those not supported by advertisements.

PUP's show up from various places. That is why you need to read the licensing agreements when installing. Uncheck any additional programs. Of course most people don't read and just click away.