Difference between revisions of "Malware"
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
Malware, short for malicious software, is a software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Although malware can seem intimidating there are many free programs available to assists computer user's of all ability to take action against malware on their computer. | Malware, short for malicious software, is a software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Although malware can seem intimidating there are many free programs available to assists computer user's of all ability to take action against malware on their computer. | ||
=Useful Anti-Malware Software= | =Useful Anti-Malware Software= | ||
| − | Below are the | + | Below are the two most common programs used at the ZipSupport center to seek out and remove malware on computers. Click on any link for further information about the specific program as well as a location on where it can be downloaded. |
* [[MalwareBytes | MalwareBytes]] | * [[MalwareBytes | MalwareBytes]] | ||
* [[SUPERAntiSpyware | SUPERAntiSpyware]] | * [[SUPERAntiSpyware | SUPERAntiSpyware]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
=Steps to Remove Malware= | =Steps to Remove Malware= | ||
| − | ==Step One: Safe Mode== | + | ==Step One: Safe Mode or Rkill Software== |
| + | In many cases malware controls the entire computer. This means that it can also prevent anti-malware programs from being installed or ran. Because of this, the first step is to kill the processes controlling the computer. This can be done by either booting the computer into Safe Mode or using the program Rkill. | ||
| + | |||
The first step to removing any malware software is to boot the computer into [[Safe Mode | Safe Mode]]. While the computer is starting up you must hit the F8 key. This should bring up a black screen displaying the advanced boot options that looks like this: | The first step to removing any malware software is to boot the computer into [[Safe Mode | Safe Mode]]. While the computer is starting up you must hit the F8 key. This should bring up a black screen displaying the advanced boot options that looks like this: | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
Select the option for "Safe Mode with Networking | Select the option for "Safe Mode with Networking | ||
This will boot the computer into safe mode and allow you to have access to the internet. Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows will load normally. Once the computer is booted into safe mode you can install and run anti-malware software without interference from the infection on your computer. | This will boot the computer into safe mode and allow you to have access to the internet. Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows will load normally. Once the computer is booted into safe mode you can install and run anti-malware software without interference from the infection on your computer. | ||
| + | |||
| + | An alternative to Safe Mode is to run the program [[Rkill | Rkill]]. This software will stop processes that are known to be associated with malware so that anti-malware programs can be installed and run. Please click on the Rkill link for further information on this software. | ||
==Step Two: Install and Run Anti-Malware Software== | ==Step Two: Install and Run Anti-Malware Software== | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 19 January 2011
Contents
Malware
Malware, short for malicious software, is a software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Although malware can seem intimidating there are many free programs available to assists computer user's of all ability to take action against malware on their computer.
Useful Anti-Malware Software
Below are the two most common programs used at the ZipSupport center to seek out and remove malware on computers. Click on any link for further information about the specific program as well as a location on where it can be downloaded.
Steps to Remove Malware
Step One: Safe Mode or Rkill Software
In many cases malware controls the entire computer. This means that it can also prevent anti-malware programs from being installed or ran. Because of this, the first step is to kill the processes controlling the computer. This can be done by either booting the computer into Safe Mode or using the program Rkill.
The first step to removing any malware software is to boot the computer into Safe Mode. While the computer is starting up you must hit the F8 key. This should bring up a black screen displaying the advanced boot options that looks like this:
Select the option for "Safe Mode with Networking
This will boot the computer into safe mode and allow you to have access to the internet. Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot Windows and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly. Once you have corrected the problem, then you can reboot and Windows will load normally. Once the computer is booted into safe mode you can install and run anti-malware software without interference from the infection on your computer.
An alternative to Safe Mode is to run the program Rkill. This software will stop processes that are known to be associated with malware so that anti-malware programs can be installed and run. Please click on the Rkill link for further information on this software.
Step Two: Install and Run Anti-Malware Software
Now that the computer is in safe mode, you can install your antimalware software. For instructions on how to download/install or use the suggested anti-malware software please see [[[Useful Anti-Malware Software here]]]. Allow the program to run a complete scan so it can identify and remove any traces of malicious software.
Step Three: Reboot
After removing any potential threats to the computer, it is important to restart the computer and let it boot normally into windows. If the computer boots successfully and there are no signs of malware, continue your regular activities on your computer.
|
Malware Still Present After Reboot If there are issues caused by a malware programs that still persist after following these steps please contact the ZipSupport Center for further Assistance. Laptops can be brought to our walk-in center in Bierce Library room 52c. Desktops must be brought to the Computer Center building, located on the corner of Carrol Street and Wolf Ledges |
