Easiest Way to "clean" malware infections on an OLD laptop running Win XP ?

[Joshua_me]

There's lots of sites on Google, but there must be a way to do it yourself without downloading yet *another* program.

Thoughts and help would be appreciated.

[deksman2]

Cleaning malware usually entails downloading quality software (one that actually does what it claims).
In this case, I'd recommend: Malwarebytes (google it - should pop up first)
Best in the field, and completely free to use as an on-demand scanner (choosing the free option is best as its the only thing you need).

Aside from that, what type of antivirus are you using (if any)?
Instead of wasting money/time on software you must pay, rather go for the free option:
MSE (microsoft security essentials), Avira free or Avast free (only pick and use 1) - all 3 are light and very effective.

Oh and finally... if you want to properly rid yourself of a problem... then once you've downloaded MalwareBytes and updated it... restart the system and run XP in Safe mode.
Run the scans and clean-up from there (that would be the best method since most system files are disabled and cleaning programs will be given access) using MBAM (malwarebytes) and your antivirus.

[kevin23]

Malwarebytes free
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyte...=dl&tag=button

Avast free http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

deksman is correct, these two programs are very effective and both are free. Use them.

[EJMichaels]

If you want another vote, I agree with the two replies.

Also, Advanced SystemCare and SUPERAntiSpyware are two other programs that people have recommended. Advanced SystemCare does a variety of maintenance tasks. I'm not sure how demanding those two are on the resources of an older computer. With the exception of Avast, I run all such programs on-demand and not automatically.

[Paws]

Fresh reinstallation of WinXP.

[looseliam]

Fresh reinstallation of WinXP.

This is usually what I recommend. Backup needed files, wipe, install, repeat.

[deksman2]

Fresh reinstallation of WinXP.

If the OS is severely damaged to the point where it cannot be repaired, then yes...

As for backups... I recommend having 2 partitions on the drive.
The C: for OS, programs and some games maybe, while the D: for storage of programs, pictures, music, media in general, your files, etc...

This way, if something happens to the OS (like a critical failure), its easy to simply nuke the C drive and re-install the OS (without losing any data as that would be on a different partition).

[T-Rexx]

Fresh reinstallation of WinXP.

This is usually what I recommend. Backup needed files, wipe, install, repeat.

Me three.

The 3 Rs of using Windows: Reboot, Reformat, and Reinstall.

In the end, it is easier and far more reliable than any of the anti-malware programs (all of which miss a lot of stuff).

[Joshua_me]

Wow.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

So far, throwing the MF-er against the wall has proven to be less than effective.

Perhaps your ideas will prove to be more fruitful.

[T-Rexx]

^ One word of caution, however, Josh.

Don't forget that Win XP requires that you have drivers for all of your hardware. If you choose to reinstall, make sure you have all of the drivers you need for your hardware: video, audio, network, printers, whatever. Most of the time with old hardware, those old driver disks are long gone. And it can sometimes be hard to locate drivers even on the internet, for old hardware.

[Corny]

^ sure, because filesharing services are basically famous for their virus free warez.

[deksman2]

^ sure, because file-sharing services are basically famous for their virus free warez.

Actually, you'd be surprised just how few are actually virus/malware infected.
The file-sharing services 'bad reputation' mainly stems from companies and people who oppose getting things for free (instead of paying for them).
I will agree with the notion that if one dabbles in file-sharing that the possibility of getting a nasty is there, but most are actually false positives because numerous AV developers are mainly in cohorts with other companies to discourage file-sharing in the first place, and hey, even legitimate sources can end up swarming with various 'nasties' (the Internet works like that you know).

The user is the front-line defense of his/her system... AV is secondary (not even the most advertised/expensive piece of AV software will be able to 'catch' everything... and the degree of protection varies from one program to the next).
You can even run Windows completely free from AV's of any kind if you set up the security system inside it properly (firewall, permissions, etc.) - it all comes down to how well you as a user are informed.

[deksman2]

As they come, in my experience it didn't really help out as well. But people have different experiences so im not to judge.

Indeed... people have different experiences... but mostly, not every antivirus will be able to catch everything.

The 3 best free antivirus programs (that would be on-par with paid ones in terms of high-effectiveness without slowing the OS down at all) would be:
MSE (microsoft security essentials, Avira and Avast).
I have MSE and Malwarebytes on my system and hadn't had an issue since ever.

Malwarebytes is recommended to have as an on-demand scanner because no AV will be able to catch 'everything'.

[Corny]

Actually, you'd be surprised just how few are actually virus/malware infected.
The file-sharing services 'bad reputation' mainly stems from companies and people who oppose getting things for free (instead of paying for them).

Just a few because the "big" sites remove them quickly. But still, many of the more serious malware infections stem from infected files. And someone who managed to get infected with numerous malware in the first place, probably isn't someone who has the experience to choose his sources wisely.

[deksman2]

Serious malware infections do come from infected files... I just don't attribute the 'severity' of those infections to file-sharing web-sites alone (the vast majority comes from other sources).
Granted, how one chooses their sources is a pretty important thing, and the responsibility lies on your part as a computer-user to act in a responsible capacity.

A lot of people get infected online simply because they click on all kinds of ads (which are the biggest distributors of malware).

[Corny]

No, it's quite simple. The "common" malware that comes from ads or other very widespread stuff like worms, are easily removable with most AV programs, or sometimes even with programs dedicated to the specific malware. this kind of malware mostly also doesn't affect the user/system that much that it is immediately noticed, since it needs to stay unnoticed to do it's work (steal info, spam etc). while from some warez site, people actually got mac virii and trojans (the most famous one was from a cracked office download).