What to do when your What to do when your computer gets a virus computer gets a virus or spyware or spyware

•Prevention – security tools

•Diagnosis – scans, web searches

•Treatment – scans & removal tools

Prevention: Prevention: Free Security ToolsFree Security Tools

• Anti-virusAnti-virus– AVG 8.5 or Avast!AVG 8.5 or Avast!

• Anti-spywareAnti-spyware– Microsoft Windows Defender Microsoft Windows Defender – Advanced System CareAdvanced System Care

• Firewall - Comodo FirewallFirewall - Comodo Firewall

• Set all to update automatically. Set all to update automatically.

Prevention: Prevention: Paid Security SuitesPaid Security Suites

• Norton Internet SecurityNorton Internet Security• Trend Micro Internet Security ProTrend Micro Internet Security Pro• Zone Alarm Internet SecurityZone Alarm Internet Security• BitDefender Internet Security BitDefender Internet Security • Kapersky Internet SecurityKapersky Internet Security

*Top 5 for 2009 according to PC Magazine

Prevention: Comparison of Prevention: Comparison of 2009 Security Tools from 2009 Security Tools from PC MagazinePC Magazine

When your computer has When your computer has a virus – Symptomsa virus – Symptoms

• Can’t get on the internetCan’t get on the internet• Can’t access security websitesCan’t access security websites• Browser home page is hijackedBrowser home page is hijacked• Computer runs very slowlyComputer runs very slowly• Pop-up windows when offlinePop-up windows when offline• Etc.Etc.

Kitty’s example – Internet Explorer, Firefox & Outlook Express load & crash.

What to do when your What to do when your computer gets a viruscomputer gets a virus

• Update tools, consider running in “Safe Update tools, consider running in “Safe Mode with networking”.Mode with networking”.

• Disconnect from internet.Disconnect from internet.• Turn off System Restore.Turn off System Restore.• Examine Add/Remove programs.Examine Add/Remove programs.• Run Disk Cleanup.Run Disk Cleanup.• Run scans for each tool after changing Run scans for each tool after changing

settings to “Scan whole computer” or settings to “Scan whole computer” or deep or full scan. deep or full scan.

• If threat is removed or quarantined, turn If threat is removed or quarantined, turn on System Restore, you’re done.on System Restore, you’re done.

If your computer still has a If your computer still has a virusvirus

• Note threat’s exact name or Note threat’s exact name or symptomssymptoms

• Search internet for threat in “Safe Search internet for threat in “Safe Mode with networking” or on a Mode with networking” or on a secondary computersecondary computer– e.g. e.g. AVG’sAVG’s Virus Encyclopedia Virus Encyclopedia or or

AVG Free ForumAVG Free Forum• Download & run removal tool, in Download & run removal tool, in

Safe Mode if requested, after Safe Mode if requested, after disabling System Restoredisabling System Restore

When your computer has a When your computer has a virus – online detection virus – online detection toolstools

• Symantec Security Scan: Symantec Security Scan: http://security.http://security.symantecsymantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?.com/sscv6/home.asp?langidlangid==ieie&&venidvenid=sym&=sym&plfidplfid=23&=23&pkjpkj=KTJFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL=KTJFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL

• Trend Micro House Call: Trend Micro House Call: http://http://housecallhousecall..trendmicrotrendmicro.com/.com/

• BitDefender Online Scanner: BitDefender Online Scanner: http://www.http://www.bitdefenderbitdefender.com/scan8/.com/scan8/ieie.html.html

• Kapersky Free Virus Scan: Kapersky Free Virus Scan: http://www.http://www.kasperskykaspersky.com/.com/virusscannervirusscanner

ReferencesReferences

• ““Windows Lockdown” by Andy Windows Lockdown” by Andy Walker, Que PublishingWalker, Que Publishing

• ““How to clean an infected How to clean an infected computer” by Randy D. Stafford in computer” by Randy D. Stafford in the AVG Free Forumthe AVG Free Forum

• ““The Best Security Suites for 2009” The Best Security Suites for 2009” from PC Magazinefrom PC Magazine