Malware removal help

Help please you super IT literate people. My windows laptop has picked up some nasty malware bugs. I have been trying to find out which, if any, of the multitude of free malware removal software is:

(a) any good; (b) does not create more problems to replace the ones it solves; and © is still free at the end, i.e. does not require you to pay for an upgrade to actually remove the malware it finds.

Plenty of horror stories out there and the first one I tried, Malawarebytes, caused my PC to have startup problems. Now uninstalled and its working again, but my malware remains.

suggestions please. Thanks

Strange how ppl so freely admit to giving their computer Aids. You’d think there would be stygmas attached to such a confession. I dunno if I would admit to it, not publicly, not when everyone would immediately know what i’ve been up to. It’s like going to supermarket and just buying carrot + vaseline. It’s embarrassing.

3 Likes

I know bear, I don’t even like buying porn, tissues and handcream all together anymore, esp now bags are 5p.

I like Avast http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2358294,00.asp some people don’t though so read the review and see what you think. The worst thing you can do is install loads of stuff as they all want to sell you the paid upgreade and each one will slow your PC down. Choose a decent one and stick with it.

Happy Mass updating.

1 Like

Malwarebytes has alwasy worked well for me when my, ahemm, son has downloaded something he shouldn’t.

Hitman Pro is another one I have used on various friends computers, it’s got a 30 day free trial and then you have to pay for it.

After you have cleaned your laptop get windows defender running and up to date and also use AVG free.

1 Like

Originally posted by @Bucks

Help please you super IT literate people. My windows laptop has picked up some nasty malware bugs. I have been trying to find out which, if any, of the multitude of free malware removal software is:

(a) any good; (b) does not create more problems to replace the ones it solves; and © is still free at the end, i.e. does not require you to pay for an upgrade to actually remove the malware it finds.

Plenty of horror stories out there and the first one I tried, Malawarebytes, caused my PC to have startup problems. Now uninstalled and its working again, but my malware remains.

suggestions please. Thanks

Before I read the last few lines I was going to recommend Malwarebytes, as that’s what I always use and it generally picks up most shit that lands on PCs. I’ve never known it to cause startup issues. I’ve also used Spybot Search and Destroy in the past and found it pretty good. You can find it here.

As Tokyo says, don’t install loads and, if what you do install decides to run itself at startup, either stop it doing so (there’s normally options you can change for this) or simply remove it once it’s done its work. If there’s an option for a free trial of the paid-for version (I know Malwarebytes does this) then untick the box.

And always ensure that the software you download is sourced directly from the maker’s web site - there are many, many software download sites that try to install all manner of shit on your PC at the same time as the stuff you actually want.

4 Likes

Cheers for the suggestions all. Spybot Search and Destroy did the trick completely. Easy to use and not at all pushy on selling me the paid-for version (which I did not need). Thanks Fowllyd