Need as basic clean up kit for Windows XP

[csziggy]

Some friends are having problems with many "infections" on their Windows XP computers - two kids, one a 17 year old boy, are probably the reason. I want to put together a set of freeware programs on a CDR that can scan the computers from CD to clean the computers up.

They have at least one hijacker malware, a redirect malware and who knows what else. I know what I used to use but it's been years so I'd like suggestions of current programs for this purpose. And as I said, if possible for them to run from CDR maybe boot from the CDR to run the scans.

Thanks!

[lpbk2713]

1. Check the "Security Help" sticky at the top of the main page.

There hasn't been anything posted to it for some time but
it still has some useful info as regards Windows XP.


:hi:

[csziggy]

3. I've been working my through it

I may have to bite the bullet and have them bring their computer over and let me futz with it. It's been a while since I've had to clean up a computer so I'm rusty. Anymore the only way I have to transfer programs is thumb drive or CDR. I don't want my thumbdrive infected and don't want to talk them through installing from CD and running the programs. So doing it myself seems the best option.

I've already downloaded a good group of programs to use. I can burn to CDR, run them on their computer and see how it goes. I may be back for help.

[canetoad]

2. I dunno zig....

To run security scan software from a cd means it essentially has to be portable software. To my knowledge there are only a couple of these programs about; ClamWin and Spybot portable and these both need to have their definitions updated to be sucessful.

At some stage people need to be responsible for their own computers. I doubt you will ever sucessfully create a bootable cd that cleans up an infected computer but even if you did, are these friends able to get into set-up and change the boot order? If they can do that, they can learn to boot in safe mode and run a few scans on a regular basis.

[csziggy]

4. I think it's beyond them and I will have them bring the worst computer over

I was having fond memories of ancient versions of Norton, scanning from CD but things have changed just a little since those times.

I may make the 17 year old boy hang out with me as I work on it to teach him a little about how to clean up a computer. It looks as though he really needs this knowledge. His Mom just got her computer back from their computer guy who claimed she had 17 different viruses on it. If the boy would learn, he could save them all time and money.

I'm no longer up to date on this stuff. I just don't get the infections anymore - either I am living right or I've learned what not to do so well it is automatic.

Thanks!

[hobbit709]

5. AVG Rescue Disk

Bootable into RAM linux with AVG Antivirus.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/226386
Download the iso and burn a CD. I've used it on a PC that came in that had the security software disabled even in safe mode.
cleaned enough out so that I could go into safe mode and run Malwarebytes and then into normal mode to run Malwarebytes again along with MSE.

[csziggy]

6. Perfect - that is what I was looking for

It probably is not all they need, but it will be a start.