Some of the nastiest spyware infections can be dealt with easier than previously thought if you try the following steps immediately after becoming infected:

1. Shut off your high speed modem OR simply unplug the Ethernet cable connecting your computer to the modem or router
2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode and attempt to run a disk cleanup from the Accessories –> System Tools menu or use the CCleaner or Cleanup program if you have them installed.
3. Then go to the accessories menu and run System Restore. Choose a date at least two weeks prior to the infection and restore the computer.
4. After the computer restarts, IF the restore was successful (and it will tell you so), run a full disk scan with your antivirus software and any anti-spyware software you have loaded
5. Restart your computer again, and this time connect back to the Internet
6. Update your antivirus and antispyware products and run another full scan

I have had good success with this routine if the infection is caught quick enough (usually within a day or so).

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Related articles:

1. Warning: Your computer may be infected with viruses, spyware and exortionware
2. How to Remove the Greeting Card Virus
3. Extricating Spyware
4. Using Adaware to purge your PC of spyware
5. Stick with HelpMeRick’s trusted security software

Tags: antivirus, Internet, restore, spyware, update, virus

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 10:35 pm and is filed under Internet Tips, Riding Shotgun with Rick, Windows Tips. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.