General decontamination procedures of an infected PC:
1. Turn on the computer, let it complete the booting process. Then turn it off.
2. Turn on the computer, and uninstall "File and Printer Sharing
Microsoft Net": (Control Panel--> Network/Dial up-->Local Area
[right click] Properties)
3. Set a strong password for administrator: (Control Panel-->
Admin tools--> Computer Management--> expand the Local Users
& Groups, open the Users folder, right click Administrator, set
password) Use a password that is not in the dictionary that has
upper and lower case and digits as well as letters.
4. Turn off System Restore (Start--> Help--> System Restore, turn off)
5. Clean out all temp directories: In Window Explorer
Tools-->folder options, View tab, click on "show hidden files and
folders". Then use windows explorer to go to
C:/Documents&Settings/Administrator/LocalSettings/ and remove all
temp files and cookies from all directories (/temp, /history, /temp
internet, etc.). Do the same for all user directories like
C;/Documents&Settings/Default User/Local Settings/. Also go
to browser folders such as C:/Documents
&Settings/Administrator/Application
Data/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/odhhohfz/Cache/ and remove temp files and
cookies. Also to to Windows/temp folder and delete temp files.
Use the Windows Explorer search to find all .tmp files and delete
them.
6. Empty the trash.
7. Install the newest Virus definitions
8. Install the latest Microsoft patches (look for the little Microsoft
flapping window on tiny globe in the lower right of screen next to
time-clock)
9. Install spyware. Two or three anti-spyware programs are better
than one. Try: Spybot (UVM Software Archive, Adware (http://www.noadware.net/), and Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) free
install from http://www.microsoft.com/ Popular Downloads section.
10. Boot in Safe Mode (F8 while booting). Run "House Call" using
Internet Explorer: http://housecall.trendmicro.com. Run this,
delete everything it picks up, then run Microsoft Anti-Spyware, then
Spybot, then Addware.
11. Install Zone Alarm personal Firewall.
Tips to keep your PC working well:
1. Run Scan disk, then Defrag.
2. Keep your PC as dust free as possible. Don't use Canned Air
(de-pressure causes condensation and freezing water), use a vacuum
cleaner instead.
3. Use http://www.uvm.edu/account/ choices to set your spam filter as
high as possible (lowest threshold 50% = most spam removed).
4. Do not use peer-to-peer sharing software like Kaza, Limewire,
WeatherBug, etc. because these will install spy ware on your machine!