Malware Removal

Malicious software, more often referred to as malware, is a term used to broadly classify as family of potentially dangerous programs installed onto a system without a user's consent. Malware includes a number of well known threats, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and keyloggers, among others. When this type of software is installed on your computer, it is critical to remove it as soon as possible.

Manual Removal

The first step at dealing with any kind of malware is knowing it's on your system. You can begin by opening the Control Panel and viewing the "Add/Remove Programs" section in Windows. By scrolling through the list, you might just spot adware, spyware or other known malware programs.

Why You Shouldn't Remove It Manually

Manual malware removal is possible, but not recommended, especially when it involves searching the registry for corrupted files. This could be very challenging and hazardous to your computer as well. Some malware programs will go great lengths to hide out on your system. Even if you're able to locate a few files, it's likely that several more will remain hidden on the hard disk and continue to compromise your system. Spyware programs are infamous for leaving remnants that average users simply can't rid of. Manually removing malware normally calls for breaking down the registry, which begins with knowing exactly what you're looking for. One wrong move could cause a lot more trouble than you originally had.

Software Solutions

In most cases, manual malware removal is not enough to eradicate the problem. Spyware often gets so deep into the registry that it reappears when you think it has been deleted. When things get this bad, reliable software should be your next move. There are numerous malware solutions on the market designed to both detect and remove these stubborn infections. An efficient malware solution should have the ability to dig deep into the registry and eliminate the most elusive programs. Some of the best removal software available is NoAdware and SpywareNuker. Anti-virus developers such as TrendMicro and Kapersky have implemented genuine anti-malware features into their software as well.

Last Resorts

Sometimes, malware can embed itself so deeply into your system that it deems the best software ineffective. A system completely infected may prevent you from downloading software solutions from the web or running your current malware scanner. This is an extreme situation that calls for extreme measures. You just may have to take your machine to a trained technician to remove the infection, which usually involves wiping the hard disk clean and reinstalling the operating system.

Conclusion

As you can see, malware can be an expensive headache. Though it can be removed in a number of ways, the best advice is to avoid it all cost. You can practice sound prevention by installing anti-malware software on your computer, along with a firewall to help keep it away. Combine this with safe web surfing, and your chances of catching a nasty infection will be drastically reduced.

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