August 6, 2008

SOS Computers

Viruses aren't the only thing that cause your PC to slow down. There aren't just enough ways for the virus to spread these days. Anti-Virus defense has improved greatly and any chances of a new threat are thwarted in time. So what are the other things that damage your PC....




A new trend has emerged among hackers and programmers. Software bundling or association is rapidly growing whereby a secondary software is packaged with the software you are willing to install.

A typical scenario would be the installation of Windows Messenger where you are offered the MSN toolbar, MSN Search, MSN homepage and everything else to do with MSN. PC users usually storm their way through an installation and avoid checking the tiny details hidden in an installer. So now you have a PC which is MSN branded and it seems as though you have been paid by MSN to use all this software.

Luckily, Microsoft does not associate any threats or vulnerabilities with its software but there are other smaller companies who do the same. Programmers con people by packaging Malware into a software installation. These software's are usually available on P2P networks or Torrents.


Malware is any malicious software designed to disrupt the working of a network. Virus, worms and Trojans fall under the category of Malware.
There is no definitive way to distinguish an authentic software from a fake if you download it from the Internet. Follow these simple steps when looking for anomalies in your setup files:

1. Do not download from an unreliable source.
2. .Exe files are usually carriers of virus and generally cause more harm
3. Use an anti virus suite and not just Internet security
4. If a threat message is displayed, do not ignore it.
5. Lastly, do not panic if something goes disastrously wrong.

Even as I write this post there have been times where I as an expert user am conned into installing Malware. So it simply isn't a matter of the level of PC expertise you carry. You are bound to end up with a virus in your PC sooner or later.

So what should be done when the virus kills your anti virus and the PC simply wont respond.

=== BEWARE THE NEXT PART IS A GUIDE ========

Restart into safe mode by pressing F8 while booting. Once in safe mode Download a copy of Malware Bytes Anti Malware from the Internet. If your Internet doesn't work get a copy of this free software in a CD or USB after downloading it from another PC. The download source is http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Once you install this software, update it and run a quick scan in the safe mode. Remove the detected infections and your PC should behave normally. All this would take 30 minutes from the time of infection to healing.

=== END OF GUIDE =====

I find it irritating when people pay hundreds to Computer shops who usually format the PC without even checking the intensity of the damage. So the next time you are stuck, remember my guide on Malware removal and avoid wasting your money.

P.S: This post is influenced after Geet's meeting with Mr. Malware after downloading a software recommended by me. LOL !!!

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