but STILL get malware that they can’t find and clear, or/and which ruin my registry after removing stuff: Prevx 3, the one from Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware, STOPzilla!, AVG, SpySweeper, SuperAntiSpyware, and Norton Antivirus. So what antimalwares are there that are better than these?
Will you come back and see if I have any follow-ups for your answers, please?
Thanks, if so,
Mike
I keep getting browser hijacking, 1A, 1B, 1C.tmp, etc., and random sound ads, and my programs cannot kill these! But besides that, why can I get them so SOON right after a clean reinstall of Windows (you know, that wipes the old windows folder with a new one, and quits using the old settings folders in Documents and Settings, which I then erase. So if I can’t yet format my hard disk (because not all my data is archived yet), then this should work as a clean enough reinstallation, should it not?
So there are those 2 things: How do I keep those things from reattacking me right after the new, clean install, and which program is best at it?
Oh, and XoftSpy is one I’ve tried already, too.
And yes, I do run the Windows Firewall as the immediate defense right after reinstall, but see, it doesn’t work that well.
JS-Computing.com, apparently you didn’t read my question very well, because I just barely said that I already tried SUPERAntiSpyware.
Yes, MB, I AM doing a clean install–but not a reformat (I don’t have the space to move my files temporarily, and I haven’t archived the stuff yet). Those are 2 different things. "Clean reinstall" doesn’t mean you have to reformat. That just means you’ve chosen to have a new copy wipe over the old folder, rather than doing what some people call an "upgrade install" (even if it’s not an upgrade) or an "in-place install" or a "repair reinstall" (which repairs hardly anything).
So no, I did not reformat my drive, but even though malware can be hooked with just about any file, they’re only active if they’re in the Windows or Documents and Settings folders, right, because while they can be attached to a lot of things, they can only run with DLLs or as .exe files, right?
Okay, MB, I still think that clean reinstallations and cleaning the drive are separate things (otherwise, what can ya call the kind of Windows installation that’s fresh even without reformatting, instead of just an "upgrade"–just a "fresh reinstall" but not a "clean reinstall"?), but your answer still sounds like a pretty good one. Thank you. I’ve been trying to finish archiving this hard disk to DVDs for some time now. I’ll try to find the funds to buy a 4th fixed hard disk (my current 2 others besides this C: are too full, too) so that I might be able to do it faster. Or maybe I’ll buy a Blu-ray burner and discs. The Blu-rays would be faster than the regular DVDs, obviously, but the 4th hard disk would be faster than the Blu-ray, even.
And thanks, France and the others, too.
JS, I’d like to apologize for giving you a thumbs-down just because you suggested SUPERAntiSpyware even though I had already said that I tried that before. You did provide some other examples that may be good, and so I’m sorry. I’ll try to find someone to give you a good thumbs-up to work against my bad one.
Have a better day tomorrow,
Mike
Tagged with: 1a • 2 different things • documents and settings • folders • follow ups • hard disk • norton • old windows • reformat • spysweeper • stopzilla • superantispyware • ups • windows folder
Filed under: Registry Cleaners
May be you need to fully scan your files that you have backed from the last time. they might still hold some of the virus that your computer caught last time. Also see this site newsletter they some time give some information on how viruses and malwares being caught by a computer. http://systemsecurityinstitute.org/
You must format your drive to do a fresh install of Windows. You are not removing the problem the way you are doing it now. The malware is still on your system, not reinfecting it.
download an antispy program immediately after installation and then install windows updates and a secure browser such as chrome of firefox.
Firefox with ‘NoScript’.
The best move you’ll make.
Use DBAN ( http://www.dban.org/ ) to format your drives. After that, there should be no malware when you reinstall Windows unless the Windows installation disc itself is infected with malware…
If you choose NOT to reformat at a low level, you can expect previous malware, rootkits, etc. to still be hiding out, untouched.
After a format and reinstallation of Windows, I recommend running SUPERAntispyware Free for your resident spyware protection: http://www.superantispyware.com/
SpywareBlaster free is another necessity:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
And Avast Home (free as well) for your virus protection: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
Also, you should install a free firewall like PC Tools Firewall Plus which gives you control over inbound and outbound traffic: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
If you get malware right after a clean install, after reformatting the drive then there is either malware on the files you are reinstalling on the computer or you are connected to the internet without a firewall and antivirus running. When you are installing Windows do not have the computer connected to the internet, unplug the ethernet cable. Then activate the firewall and install an antivirus before connecting. And take a close look at what third party programs you are installing. Also do not connect a flash drive or external drive to the computer until you have it protected and updated. Then you can scan any external drives for malware afterward
Update: You are not doing a clean install then? There are obviously infected files on the computer and are reinfecting it.
Get the good files off and do a clean install with a reformat of the drive. No malware will remain then. But if you have infected files they will reinstall the malware immediately.
You are not doing a clean install. It’s the only way to remove the malware. And you have to find the infected files and delete them or you will never get rid of the problems.
RE: Update
If you are just reinstalling the Windows and system files and leaving all your personal files on the hard drive that’s not a clean install in my opinion.
You have infected personal files, so reinstalling all the system files will not help. As soon as your personal files have access to the new system files they will infect them. That’s why they keep coming back. You have to completely wipe the drive, and not reinstall the infected files. I would invest in a new hard drive, install Windows and then scan the old hard drive for malware. If you can’t afford it put your files on DVDs or a flash drive. You have to wipe that drive. Then find out what files are infected. Or maybe scan your files in Safe Mode to find, quarantine or delete the bad programs.