| The day may come when you suddenly have | | | | to open it, then click Yes, OK. |
| persistent virus or spyware problems that you cannot | | | | 2. If you have had a serious virus or spyware problem |
| seem to get rid of. Perhaps your kids were playing | | | | and have cleaned your computer, you should delete |
| games at questionable websites, or you forgot to | | | | your Restore Points. |
| update your security programs for a few days. | | | | These are snapshots of your system which are |
| There are generally 3 ways to tackle your problem. | | | | stored periodically by Windows. If you have a problem, |
| We will look at each of them in turn, from simplest to | | | | you can go back in time to one of these Points, when |
| more complex. I assume you have scanned your | | | | things were working fine. |
| computer with all your updated anti-virus and | | | | However, if the snapshot was created when you had |
| anti-spyware programs, and your Windows is up to | | | | a virus or spyware, then the Restore Point is |
| date. | | | | contaminated with the virus, etc. If you use this |
| 1. The first thing to try is Safe Mode. Launching | | | | Restore Point, it will re-infect your computer. |
| Windows in Safe Mode provides just the bare | | | | Even if you never use it, malware could still hide in |
| essentials to run your PC, so it will look a little funny. | | | | these Restore Points, because the hackers who |
| But it therefore leaves viruses and spyware more | | | | wrote the viruses, etc. know that anti-virus programs |
| vulnerable to attack. | | | | cannot usually clean this area. So the best thing to do |
| In Windows XP, boot the computer. Before Windows | | | | is just delete the Points, and make new ones. |
| loads, depress F8 for Safe Mode start-up. You may | | | | To delete old Restore Points in Windows XP, click |
| only have a second before Windows loads. Keep | | | | Start, Control Panel, System, System Restore tab. |
| depressing F8. If Windows loads, try again after the | | | | Check the box next to Turn off System Restore. Click |
| normal start-up. | | | | Apply, OK, and reboot the computer. |
| On some computers, you might have to press the | | | | Now turn System Restore back on: click Start, Control |
| Delete or Esc key, instead of F8. For earlier versions | | | | Panel, System, System Restore tab. Clear the check |
| of Windows, boot the computer. After you hear the | | | | mark beside Turn off System Restore. Click Apply, |
| first beep (the POST), press and hold the Control key | | | | OK. |
| (Ctrl) until you see the menu. Use the up and down | | | | You can make a new Restore Point any time, such as |
| arrows to select Safe Mode. Press Enter. | | | | before installing software, or before making other |
| Once the computer is running in safe mode, do all your | | | | changes to your computer. Do this: In Windows XP, |
| security scans again. This may solve your problem. | | | | click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, |
| One reason viruses and spyware keep reappearing is | | | | System Restore. Click Create a restore point, and |
| because they may have made entries into the | | | | follow instructions. |
| Windows Registry. The Registry is a large database, | | | | 3. Sometimes even these steps may not get rid of |
| or list, of every single thing on your computer. | | | | stubborn viruses or spyware. So run all your scans |
| To help prevent malware from writing to the Registry, | | | | again. In the anti-virus or anti-spyware program, note |
| get a custom HOSTS file, to block requests that the | | | | the name of the virus, trojan, worm, etc. that you are |
| spyware be downloaded and installed again. A | | | | dealing with. |
| HOSTS file also helps protect you from spyware. | | | | Then go to your favorite search engine, plug in the |
| Look on the Internet. | | | | name, and look for a program or method to remove it |
| You should also have a backup copy of the Registry, | | | | from your computer. |
| in case it ever gets corrupted. Make a backup when | | | | If the method includes editing the Registry, make a |
| your computer is running with no problems. | | | | backup copy as above first. Make sure you have |
| To make a backup, do this carefully: Click Start, Run. | | | | precise, step-by- step instructions for what to do. |
| Type regedit in the box, and click OK. Highlight My | | | | Proceed cautiously. Without a properly functioning |
| Computer if it is not already highlighted. | | | | Registry, your computer will be nothing more than an |
| In Windows XP, click File, Export. Type a name for the | | | | expensive paperweight. For example, if your browser |
| backup, such as Registry Backup 1, and click Save. In | | | | has been hijacked and your home page keeps |
| earlier versions of Windows, click Registry, Export | | | | changing, search on About:Buster. |
| Registry File. The file will be saved in your My | | | | And spend the time to always keep your security |
| Documents folder. | | | | programs up to date. It will save you a lot of time, |
| To restore the Registry using your backup copy, click it | | | | frustration and grief! |