How to clean a computer when there is a Virus, Spyware, Rootkit, Trojan or any other Malware infection?

Given below are some basic troubleshooting steps:

  • If your computer is on a network (LAN), take it off it – immediately.
  • Turn off System Restore
  • Update the virus definitions of your anti-virus application.
  • Run a full system scan of your computer and delete all the infected files.
  • If you are unable to delete any of these files, you can just quarantine them.
  • Once your computer is completely clean, you restart system restore.

In case you are not able to update the virus definitions, then what?

  • If you have the anti-virus disc, start up your computer with it and do a full scan of your computer.
  • Else, search for free/online anti-virus scans in Google (you will find plenty of them) and scan your computer (of course, if your own computer is not working, use a different computer to download one of these applications and copy it to a disc/pen-drive and scan the infected computer.)
  • It is a good idea to also scan the computer with a good anti-spyware scanner like SuperAntiSpyware (use the portable scan option on their website).
  • You can also scan the computer with CCleaner and also run the Registry fix option in it (it is very effective). Remember to run the scan as many times till it says there are no problems found.
  • Once you have cleaned your computer, make sure that you have a good anti-spyware and anti-virus installed in your computer.