What is the best FREE way to clean viruses from your PC? And how do you check the startup programs?

Question

My Ad-aware doesnt work & I can tell some programs keeps tryin to start when i turn on the computer.

Answer 1

The best free site I've found is AVG free antivirus program. Try it and see what you think.

Answer 2

To turn on and off programs at startup do the following:

Start > Run > msconfig

All programs that run at startup will be under the Startup tab. As for viruses and whatnot I would suggest you check out some of these anti-virus and anti-spyware software programs along with a couple other recommended programs:

-McAfee 12 in 1 Security Center (anti-virus)

or AVG if you want a free program

-Spyware Doctor with AV (anti-spyware)

or Spybot S&D if you want a free program

-PC Tools Firewall Plus(free) (firewall)

-ThreatFire(free) (added virus protection)

-CCleaner(keep computer running pretty good, cleans up history and whatnot)

-Firefox(safe browser)

All of the above programs(aside Spybot and AVG) I use and have been using for a very long time now, all with fantastic results. For AVG and Spybot they are both good in the way of free protection but McAfee and Spyware Doctor are recommended.

Answer 3

* Find out if you have a virus... by doing a free online scan... at one of these...

* Panda free online virus scan... http://www.pandasecurity.com/activescan/...

* Bit Defender free online virus scan... http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

* Trend Micro free online virus scan... http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

-or-

* Here is totally free complete bundle... I have the same.. And highly recommend these programs...

* Clean and Protect your PC.

Security is a three tier affair, one firewall, one anti-virus and as much adware/spyware removal software as you feel needed?

* I like AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition This competent virus scanner has everything covered, from the creation of a backup rescue disk to daily updates for virus definitions. Its easy to use and will not slow your system down. Functionality and price, it's among the best.

* SuperAntiSpyware - Finds viruses and spyware that are very very hard to find with no conflict to other antivirus software.

* Spyware Blaster - Will help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the 'good side' of the web.

* Advanced Windows care Personal - Will boost your PC and has a Registry Fixer.

* Comodo Firewall Pro - For XP and Vista keeps hackers out of your system and all types of malware.

* Do a search for all of these.

* Note: Practically all Spyware and Hijackers tend to target 'Internet Explorer' and not other browsers. If you don't mind switching your browser, then you should switch and immediately greatly reduce your risk of infecting your computer. I would recommend... Mozilla Firefox 3. This new version of the Web browser with improvements in security, speed and design. It also will start blocking rather than simply warning about sites known to engage in "phishing" scams that try to trick users into revealing passwords and other sensitive information. The new version adds protection from sites known to distribute viruses and other malicious software.

* If you want to stick with IE... Make your Internet Explorer more secure with the WOT add-on. (www.windowsmarketplace.com)

*** To check what you have running in your startup programs. Many programs may launch on startup through default settings when you install an application. Over time these applications add up and they may be draining your system resources. To see what programs are currently running on start-up, in Windows XP or Vista click on Start, select Run, then type MSCONFIG and hit the Enter key. Select the Startup tab from the dialog box. Here you can deselect any items that are running that you don't actually need when you first start your computer up. Select Apply after deselecting the startup applications and reboot the system to check for noticeable speed gain when it restarts again.

Answer 4

I recommend you use:

Spybot Search And Destroy to take  care of adware and spyware that load at boot.

I usually run AVIRA Antivirus afterwards to catch any viruses that may have been missed.

To view all the startup programs I suggest AShampoo.

Best of all, these are free. Links are at bottom.

Answer 5

The best free antivirus is AVG...uninstall and install .. use this version , I am sure it'll work well...Ad-ware...http://www.filehippo.com/download_ad-awa...

Answer 6

I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans Hackers etc. I have just upgraded to AVG free 8.0 and all seems good so far. Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from http://www.download.com/ I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps

Answer 7

Try out SuperAntispyware

Spybot Search & Destroy

or Avast! antivirus

and to look through start up processes go...

start - run - msconfig - startup tab

Answer 8

If you have Xp try COMODO.  ITs pretty good.  www.comodo.com

VISTA.. pc tools is a great program that is free.

go to run (or start with vista) and type MSCONFIG.. click startup tab and uncheck anything that you dont want starting up.  Make sure you leave your security checked though.  

ALSO alot of services start that slow your pc.  Here is 2 sites that tell you what services you can diable.

WINDOWS XP : http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicec...

WINDOWS VISTA: http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servi...

GOOD LUCK



★ I recommend that you create a new system restore point before changing anything in your windows that your not familar with.