How to easily clean an infected computer

How to easily clean an infected computer (Malware Removal Guide)

Before you continue you may like to check out my other writeup on how to remove virus from computer http://sharedis.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-is-computer-virus-and-why-should.html

Source Malware Tips

Malware, short for malicious (or malevolent) software, is software used or programmed by attackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. It can appear in the form of code, scripts, active content, and other software. ‘Malware’ is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software.
Malware includes computer viruses, ransomware, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, keyloggers, dialers, spyware, adware, malicious BHOs, rogue security software and other malicious programs; the majority of active malware threats are usually worms or trojans rather than viruses.
It’s not always easy to tell if your computer was compromised or not,because these days cybercriminals are going to great lengths to hide their code and conceal what their programs are doing on an infected computer.
It’s very difficult to provide a list of characteristic symptoms of a infected computer because the same symptoms can also be caused by hardware incompatibilities or system instability,however here are just a few examples that may suggest that your PC has been compromised :

You may receive the error “Internet Explorer could not display the page” when attempting to access certain websites

Your web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome) freezes, hangs or is unresponsive

Your web browser’s default homepage is changed

Access to security related websites is blocked

You get redirected to web pages other than the one you intended to go to

You receive numerous web-browser popup messages

Strange or unexpected toolbars appear at the top of your web browser

Your computer runs slower than usual

Your computer freezes, hangs or is unresponsive

There are new icons on your desktop that you do not recognize

Your computer restarts by itself (but not a restart caused by Windows Updates)

You see unusual error messages (e.g., messages saying there are missing or corrupt files folders)

You are unable to access the Control Panel, Task Manager, Registry Editor or Command Prompt.

This article is a comprehensive guide, which will remove most of malware infections that may reside on your computer. And if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, then we strongly advise you follow this guide to check and remove any infection that you might have on your computer.

How to remove viruses, ransomware, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, keyloggers, dialers, spyware, adware, malicious BHOs, rogue security software and other malicious programs

OPTIONAL: Some forms of malware will not allow you to start some of the below utilites and on-demand scanners, while running Windows in Normal mode. If this happens, we recommend that you start your computer in Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, and try from there to perform the scan.
We recommend that you first try to run the below scans while your computer is in Normal mode, and only if you are experiencing issues, should you try to start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
To start your computer Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, you can follow the below steps:

Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.

If you are using Windows XP, Vista or 7 press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts.Please keep in mind that you need to press the F8 key before the Windows start-up logo appears.
Note: With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the “F8 key”, tap the “F8 key” continuously until you get the Advanced Boot Options screen.If you are using Windows 8, press the Windows key + C, and then click Settings. Click Power, hold down Shift on your keyboard and click Restart, then click on Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.

In the Advanced Options screen, select Startup Settings, then click on Restart.

If you are using Windows XP, Vista or 7 in the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking , and then press ENTER.
\
If you are using Windows 8, press 5 on your keyboard to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Windows will start in Safe Mode with Networking.

STEP 1: Remove any Master Boot Record infections with Kaspersky TDSSKiller

As part of its self defense mechanism, some types of malware will install a rootkit on the infected computer, which will compromise the Windows loading process.In this first step, we will run a system scan with Kaspersky TDSSKiller to remove this rootkit.

Please download the latest official version of Kaspersky TDSSKiller.KASPERSKY TDSSKILLER DOWNLOAD LINK(This link will automatically download Kaspersky TDSSKiller on your computer.)

Before you can run Kaspersky TDSSKiller, you first need to rename it so that
you can get it to run. To do this, right-click on the TDSSKiller.exe icon and select Rename.
Edit the name of the file from TDSSKiller.exe to iexplore.exe, and then double-click on it to launch.

Kaspersky TDSSKiller will now start and display the welcome screen and we will need to click on Change Parameters.

In the new open window,we will need to enable Detect TDLFS file system, then click on OK.

Next,we will need to start a scan with Kaspersky, so you’ll need to press the Start Scan button.

Kaspersky TDSSKiller will now scan your computer for Malware infection.

When the scan has finished it will display a result screen stating whether or not the infection was found on your computer. If it was found it will display a screen similar to the one below.

To remove the infection simply click on the Continue button and TDSSKiller will attempt to clean the infection.A reboot will be require to completely remove any infection from your system.

STEP 2: Run RKill to terminate any malicious processe

RKill is a program that will attempt to terminate all malicious processes that are running on your machine, so that we will be able to perform the next step without being interrupted by this malicious software.
Because this utility will only stops the running process, and does not delete any files, after running it you should not reboot your computer as any malware processes that are configured to start automatically will just be started again.

Please download the latest official version of RKill.Please note that we will use a renamed version of RKILL so that malicious software won’t block this utility from running.RKILL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download RKILL renamed as iExplore.exe)

Double click on iExplore.exe to start RKill and stop any processes associated with Luhe.Sirefef.A.

RKill will now start working in the background, please be patient while the program looks for any malicious process and tries to end them.

When the Rkill utility has completed its task, it will generate a log. Do not reboot your computer after running RKill as the malware programs will start again.

STEP 3: Remove Trojan Horses, rogue security software and other malicious files from your computer with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a powerful on-demand, which will detect and remove trojans, rogue security software and other malicious files from your computer.

You can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from the below link, then double click on it to install this program.MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free)

When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the setup process. DO NOT make any changes to default settings and when the program has finished installing, click on the Finish button.

On the Scanner tab, select Perform quick scan and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer.

Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer as shown below.

When the Malwarebytes scan will be completed, click on Show Result.

You will now be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware has detected.Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image. Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the Remove Selected button.

STEP 4: Remove stubborn rootkits from your computer with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a cloud on-demand scanner, which scan your computer with 5 antivirus engines for any type of malware.

Download HitmanPro from the below link, then double click on it to start this program.HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)

HitmanPro will start and you’ll need to follow the prompts (by clicking on the Next button) to start a system scan with this program.

HitmanPro will start scanning your computer for malware, as seen in the image below.

Once the scan is complete,you’ll see a screen which will display all the infected files that this utility has detected, and you’ll need to click on Next to remove these malicious files.

Click Activate free license to start the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your computer.

STEP 5: Remove the malicious registry keys added by malware with RogueKiller

Malware will often add its malicious registry keys to your Windows installation, to remove them we will need to perform a scan with RogueKiller.

You can download RogueKiller from the below link.
ROGUEKILLER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download RogueKiller on your computer)

Double click on RogueKiller.exe to start this utility and then wait for the Prescan to complete.This should take only a few seconds and then you can click the Start button to perform a system scan.

After the scan has completed, press the Delete button to remove any malicious registry keys.

STEP 6: Remove malicious adware from your computer with AdwCleaner.

The AdwCleaner utility will scan your computer and browsers for adware files and registry keys, that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.

You can download AdwCleaner utility from the below link.
ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download AdwCleaner on your computer)

Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.

If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.

When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Search button as shown below.

The program will now start to search for adware files that may be installed on your computer. When it has finished it will display a notepad screen that contains a log file of all the adware extensions, files, and registry keys that have been detected. Unless you see a program name that you know should not be removed, please close the Notepad window and continue with the next step.

To remove the adware malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Delete button on the AdwCleaner screen.

AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.

AdwCleaner will now delete all detected adware from your computer. When it is done it will display an alert that explains what PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Adware are. Please read through this information and then press the OK button. You will now be presented with an alert that states AdwCleaner needs to reboot your computer.
Please click on the OK button to let AdwCleaner reboot your computer.

STEP 7: Remove browser hijackers and other malicious files from your computer with Junkware Removal Tool

Junkware Removal Tool is a powerful utility, which will remove any piece of malware within Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome, on on your computer.

You can download the Junkware Removal Tool utility from the below link:
JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download the Junkware Removal Tool utility on your computer)

Once Junkware Removal Tool has finished downloading, please double-click on the JRT.exe icon as seen below.

If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run Junkware Removal Tool, please allow it to run.

Junkware Removal Tool will now start, and at the Command Prompt, you’ll need to press any key to perform a scan for malware.

Please be patient as this can take a while to complete (up to 10 minutes) depending on your system’s specifications.

When the scan Junkware Removal Tool will be completed, this utility will display a log with the malicious files and registry keys that were removed from your computer.

STEP 8: Double-check for any left over infections on your computer

If want to make another check for any left over malicious files, you can run a scan with the following tools:
STEP A: Run a scan with Eset Online Scanner.

Download ESET Online Scanner utility.
ESET Online Scanner Download Link (This link will automatically download ESET Online Scanner on your computer.)

Double click on the Eset installer program (esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe).

Check Yes, I accept the Terms of Use

Click the Start button.

Check Scan archives

Push the Start button.

ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.

When the scan completes, push Finish

STEP B: Run a scan with Emsisoft Emergency Kit.

Please download the latest official version of Emsisoft Emergency Kit.EMSISOFT EMERGENCY KIT DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Emsisoft Emergency Kit)

After the download process will finish , you’ll need to unpack EmsisoftEmergencyKit.zip and then double click on EmergencyKitScanner.bat

A pop-up will prompt you to update Emsisoft Emergency Kit , please click the “Yes” button.After the Update process has completed , put the mouse cursor over the “Menu” tab on the left and click-on “Scan PC“.

Select “Smart scan” and click-on the below “SCAN” button.When the scan will be completed , you will be presented with a screen showing you the malware infections that Emsisoft Emergency Kit has detected.Make sure that everything is Checked (ticked) and click on the ‘Quarantine selected objects‘ button.

Your computer should now be free of malware. If your current anti-virus solution let an infection through, you may want to consider purchasing the PRO version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future, and perform regular scans with HitmanPro.

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How to easily clean an infected computer