Just some useful info I have taught myself the hardway. Reloading xp lots. Useful tips from others. Lots of trial and error. Tons of reading and searching.


Checking for Virus.
1.Option for Xp. Scan in safe mode. Reboot windows and hit f8. Will take some time. Scanning in safe mode will disable things that virus and or spyware may be hiding in and scanners may miss.

2.In xp disable system restore while scanning. Right Click on my computer icon on desk top. Go to properties then click on System restore and check box to disable system restore. After scanning repeat previous steps to turn back on system restore.

3.Remember scanning in safe mode is an option to try. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, scan for virus and spyware with windows normally. Make sure everything is closed including your browser.

4. If your still unable to find virus or spyware but still think their may be a problem you can run hijack this. Make sure when you download hijack this and unzip it DO NOT run directly from desktop or the unzipped folder. HiJack This is a very powerful tool. Before using make sure your at ease doing so and ask in the general forum ANY questions you may have!! There is no such thing as a dumb question. ASK!!!!!!!

Below are links to free anti virus and spyware tools. I will include links to hijack this and 2 sites that will read the logs automatically and they are free. IMPORTANT!!! Before using hijack this MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!!! WHEN IN DOUBT ASK!!!!! No such thing as a dumb question. Also provided are 2 free tools that may help. Starup inspector will detect any virus or spyware when your computer starts. Just hit the consult button at the top. Update your program just before you run it. One last suggestion.Go to your desktop right click and create new folder. Name it as you wish and put all spyware and anti virus programs in this folder. Also when using winzip go to start..search...search for unzipped......See the folder that says unzipped. Put a shortcut to this folder on your desktop by right click on the folder and send shortcut to desktop. Makes finding unzipped programs a snap
Also included is a link for net meter. Its free. Simply run it while connected to the net and not browsing. See if your getting allot of stuff leaving your computer.


Links for Startup Inspector and Net Meter.

http://www.windowsstartup.com/ and http://readerror.gmxhome.de/

Free Spyware Programs
Spybot...... http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Spyware Blaster.. http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Microsoft spyware.... http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

Free online virus scans
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

Free Anti Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/Programs/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

http://www.avast.com/

Hijack this...... http://spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack this automated readers

http://www.hijackthis.de/
http://spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

I HOPE YOU FIND THIS INFORMATION USEFUL. PLEASE HELP OTHERS. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK ANYTHING!!! No such thing as a dumb question. THIS INFORMATION IS A GENERAL GUIDE LINE IN HELPING FIND VIRUS AND SPYWARE. USE COMMON SENSE AND ASK ANYTHING