Antivirus, Antimalware, And Antispyware Resources, Updated Mar 22 2008 Options

[Grinler]

Here is a list of Virus/Malware related links, software, and resources to help with the removal of Spyware. This list has been created from a variety of sources and anyone is free to copy this list in its entirety for their boards or other purposes. Please note that BleepingComputer does not provide any warranty that these tools will work as advertised or not cause further problems to your computer. Please use only if you understand what you are doing.

Note: At the top of the pages in this site you will sometimes find ads for Spyware Removal Programs which are in no way affiliated with Bleeping Computer. Unfortunately, some of these ads display products that we do not recommend. Before you purchase a program in one of these ads, please refer to this Rogue Anti-Spyware List or ask us before purchasing a product so we can verify it for you. On the other hand, all the products listed below this note can be used with the knowledge that they are consdered reliable by many experts in this topic.


1. Spyware & Malware Removal Utilities

• a² - This is an excellent and highly recommended software for scanning and removing Trojans, Worms, and Dialers.
  
  
• Ad-Aware - The original spyware removal tool. It is an essential tool to use alongside Spybot when cleaning your system.
  
  
• CWShredder - A tool created by Merijn for the sole purpose of removing the CoolWebSearch Hijacker.
  
  
• HijackThis - A Windows Enumeration tool that has become essential to removing certain Spyware and Hijackers. Do not use this tool without expert assistance.
  
  
• LSP-Fix - A program that is necessary to remove certain files associated with Spyware and Hijackers.
  
  
• Spybot - Search & Destroy - An essential tool to use alongside AdAware when cleaning your system.

2. Commercial Spyware and Malware Removal Programs

• Ad-aware - Spyware/Adware removal
  
  
• Spysweeper - Spyware/Adware removal
  
  
• Computer Associates EZ Antivirus
  
  
• Kapersky Antivirus
  
  
• McAfee Virusscan
  
  
• Panda Antivirus
  
  
• TrendMicro Antivirus

3. Spyware Protection Programs

• hpguru's HOSTS File - Another Hosts file.
  
  
• IE-Spyad - A registry file that adds a long list of known malware domains to your restricted sites section of Internet Explorer.
  
  
• SpywareBlaster - A program that locks your browser from running known malware or downloading programs from known malware sites.
  
  
• SpywareGuard - A real time spyware/malware protection program that alerts you when malware is trying to install on your computer.
  
  
• MVPS Host - A hosts file that will block you from connecting to known malware and adware sites.

4. Free Online/Virus Scanners

• avast! 4 Home Edition - A free full featured antivirus software.
  
  
• BitDefender Online Scan - Free online virus scanner.
  
  
• AVG Virus Scan - A free full featured antivirus software.
  
  
• Avast Free - Free full featured antivirus software.
  
  
• Mcafee Online Scan - Free online virus scanner.
  
  
• GFI Trojanscan - A free online Trojan Scanner.
  
  
• Panda Active Scan - Free online virus scanner.
  
  
• RAV Free Online Scan - Free online scanner that allows you to scan a specific file.
  
  
• Trend Micro Housecall - A free online virus scanner.
  
  
• Virus Total - This site will allow you to submit a file and have it scanned by numerous virus scanners and display the results.
  
  
• Jotti's malware scan 2.24 - This site will allow you to submit a file and have it scanned by numerous virus scanners and display the results. The advantage to this site is that it uses the Norman Antivirus Sandbox feature to give you information about what the file does if it can not identify the type of virus it is.

5. Malware/Virus Specific Cleaners or References

• CoolWebSearch Chronicles by Merijn - Necessary article when having trouble cleaning a CWS infection.
  
  
• FixSasser - Sasser Removal Tool.
  
  
• Kill2ME - "A removal tool specifically for the Look2Me parasite. This tool removes versions 115, 116, 117 118, 120, 121 and 122 on all Windows versions."
  
  
• KillBox - Used when trying to remove Look2ME and VX2.BetterInternet.
  
  
• Peper Removal Program - Program to remove the Peper Trojan.
  
  
• MSBlaster Removal Tool - Tool to remove MSBlaster.
  
  
• RapidBlaster Removal Program - A tool to remove RapidBlaster.
  
  
• Mcafee Stinger - A program that removes various worms, trojans, and viruses.
  
  
• VX2.BetterInternet Finder - Used to remove Look2ME and VX2.BetterInternet versions 123 and 124 (the most recent ones).

6. Reference sites

• Answers that work - A large list of tasks and processes and what they are.
  
  
• CLSID listing - A large list of CLSIDs, the characters between the {} in a HijackThis log, and what they are for.
  
  
• Doxdesk Parasite Info - A reference site on various Parasites/Malware.
  
  
• Google - Need we say more? Just type what you're searching for in the field and hit the button.
  
  
• Greatis Startup Application Database - Another database of startup programs.
  
  
• Kephyr File Database - A database of file names and their functions.
  
• Pacman's Startup Programs List - Pacman's list of startup programs.
  
  
• Pacman's Startup Lists for Offline Reading - Downloadable version of Pacman's startup list.
  Alternate site of Pacman's Startup List
  
  
• Wintasks Process Library - Large database of processes and what they are.
  
  
• Windows Startup Online Database - Large database of startup entries.

7. Tutorials

What is Spyware?

• Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers.

Spyware Removal Tools

• Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware/Hijackers from Your Computer.
  
  
• Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware from Your Computer.
  
  
• How to remove CoolWebSearch with CoolWeb Shredder.
  
  
• Using HijackThis to Remove Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers.

Tools to help prevent Spyware

• The Hosts File and what it can do for you.
  
  
• Using IE-Spyad to enhance your privacy and security.
  
  
• Using SpywareBlaster to protect your web browser.
  
  
• Using SpywareGuard to protect your computer from Spyware/Hijackers.
  
  
• Using LSP-Fix to remove unwanted LSPs from your computer.

If there are any more resources that I may have left off, please let me know.

This post has been edited by Grinler: Dec 22 2008, 05:38 PM