-- Posted by throwthisaway at 7:40 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 After reading the countless posts suggesting a brand new anti-virus topic (because the current one is, sorry to say, outdated), I figured I'd add my own informative topic in order to help people who are experiencing tech problems out. Windows XP (Home/Professional) Slow Computer? Here's a little checklist to look at if you ever notice that your computer's running a little slow. [] Malware The largest contributor to a poorly performing PC is most likely malware. Usually, this is associated with downloading an application (.exe) that contains spyware, by not having browser security settings high enough or by carelessly downloading P2P files. Even by failing to install security patches in a timely manner can result in a tricky case of malware. Step 1 - First of all, update your virus definitions. For the tricky pieces of malware, you'll have to boot into Safe Mode and run the anti-virus software. At this point, doing something non-computer related would be advised, as it could be a long wait (depending on your AV and the amount of files your hard drive has). Step 2 - If the slowness was recent and you just downloaded a program recently, your problem is probably inside of that program. Completely remove this program from your computer and see if a change is noticed. For prevention, don't recklessly download - do a couple of web searches to find out what the program's security status is. Step 3 - While you're in the aforementioned Safe Mode, run all the anti-spyware applications you can; each company has a different set of definitions of what they describe as "spyware" and so each company's application removes different things. Please note, you should always have only ONE anti-virus program installed on your computer at any one time, as problems can occur when they conflict with each other.  Spyware scanners don't usually interfere with each other, and so it is safe to have multiple spyware scanners installed at the same time. Step 4 - Another problem could lie within the automatic application startups. If you think you're an advanced user, push the Windows key and R simultaneously (or go to Start > Run manually) and type "services.msc" minus the quotes. Take note of the location of the files and the application name. I'd advise you not to click anything you're not sure about, but instead use a utility called Windows Startup Inspector, which is a more "intense" alternative to the "services.msc" command. Extra (Optional) Steps To Take Cleaning up your harddrive will give your PC more 'space' to work with, so go through your programs and documents - remove the applications you haven't used in two years, the software for the old printer you've bought two replacements for, zip files you've already unzipped - it's all up to your discretion. ----- [] Anti-Virus Scanners -  Antivir -  Avast Free -  AVG Free (at the bottom of the page) -  BitDefender Free -  Kaspersky -  NOD32 *note: Kaspersky is not free - the rest are. *Steps to (legally) 'register' NOD32 for free [] Spyware Removal -  WinPatrol "WinPatrol uses a heuristic approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. It takes snapshots of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge." -  SpywareBLASTER Prevents spyware from being installed on your system. -  SpywareGuard Provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method. -  SUPERAntiSpyware Amazing program, absolutely 100% effective (will almost always find traces of spyware if run in Safe Mode) -  Spybot: Search & Destroy -  IE SpyAd -  Ad-Aware [] Online Virus / Trojan Scanners -  aumha -  BitDefender -  CastleCops -  eTrust -  F-Secure -  HouseCall -  HouseCall - Java (Does not require IE, it uses Java instead of ActiveX) -  Jotti -  Kephyr PopUp Killer -  McAfee -  PC PitStop   -  Spyware Guide -  Spyware Info -  Symantec -  Spy Audit (Does not remove/add any files to your system) -  Windows Security - ..Trojan Scanner More to come for different problems in a little bit. -- Posted by throwthisaway at 7:40 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Space reserved for expansion. -- Posted by zomby at 7:46 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Avg is not free anymore however there is a proof its not. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 on underneath "avg 7.1 free users" section -- Posted by ominousmusic at 7:56 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Disclaimer: It is not illegal to edit the Windows registry, nor is it illegal to install a trial. Nothing in this post is illegal, nor does it promote illegal activity or give accounts of illegal activity or blah blah blah just fuck off mods All free anti-virus is pathetic and not worth the download, don't bother. IMO, the best protection against viruses is NOD32 by eset. You can download their free trial either on their website at: http://www.eset.com/download/index.php Or here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/hawraman/NOD32 Antivirus /Eset NOD32 AntiVirus 2.51.20.exe Or, if you have a BitTorrent client, here: http://www.mininova.org/tor/383138 The aforementioned torrent also includes a registry-fix file that LEGALLY changes the Windows registry so the NOD32 trial lasts and updates indefinitely. If you don't want to download the torrent, you can download the registry fix here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/hawraman/NOD32 Antivirus /NOD32.FiX.v2.1-nsane.exe -- Posted by throwthisaway at 7:59 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Quote: from zomby at 10:46 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Avg is not free anymore however there is a proof its not. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 on underneath "avg 7.1 free users" section If you are still using AVG 7.1 Free Edition, please take action now to remain safe by downloading the new AVG 7.5 Free Edition. Do not leave your self unprotected. It's just the 7.1 download is being replaced by the version 7.5. -- Posted by zomby at 8:13 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Quote: from throwthisaway at 7:59 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Quote: from zomby at 10:46 pm on Feb. 20, 2007 Avg is not free anymore however there is a proof its not. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 on underneath "avg 7.1 free users" section   If you are still using AVG 7.1 Free Edition, please take action now to remain safe by downloading the new AVG 7.5 Free Edition. Do not leave your self unprotected.   It's just the 7.1 download is being replaced by the version 7.5. i have missed that part my apologies to you. -- Posted by throwthisaway at 4:32 am on Feb. 21, 2007 Links are now updated, thanks to David/telomere. -- Posted by throwthisaway at 6:43 pm on Mar. 14, 2007 Made the post more \"user-friendly\", more tips and tricks to come. Please post if you have anything you\'d like me to cover next. -- Posted by BBallAsh23 at 6:54 pm on Mar. 14, 2007 This is from the old sticky. Viruses and spyware can cause many computer problems. Below are some programs that will help you fix and protect your computer. If you have a virus (or many viruses) on your computer download AVG Anti-Virus http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php Online virus scanner http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp If you are having problems with spyware use Adaware, Spy Sweeper PestPatrol and/or Spybot Search and Destroy Adaware http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button Spybot Search And Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html PestPatrol http://www.pestpatrol.com/Products/ Spy Sweeper http://www.webroot.com/php/tryme.php?bjpc=64000&vcode=DT02 Firewalls can also help protect agains hackers and other thing geting into your computer. Peer Guardian http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/14/3/14-3-55.shtml If any of that needs to be added to your list please do so. I'm unsticking the outdated one. -- Posted by DefaultTo0 at 12:48 am on April 5, 2007 I halped sort out some of the user-friendliness for you... I'll also be doing a HiJackThis post soon, you want me to send that your way to include in your second post of the thread? -- Posted by throwthisaway at 9:43 am on April 6, 2007 Quote: from DefaultTo0 at 3:48 am on April 5, 2007 I halped sort out some of the user-friendliness for you... I'll also be doing a HiJackThis post soon, you want me to send that your way to include in your second post of the thread? Sure, you could edit it in as well if you'd like. -- Posted by shuvankar at 9:21 pm on Aug. 31, 2007 Well I am facing at new problem in IE. In my IE their is some malware (damn it is an evilware) running, which is blocking  a host of sites by throwing Javascript alert like popup with messages like "youtube has blocked you! this was not done by administrator, guess who did that?" and backs it up with a laugh. If I try to do use firefox, it gives a msg "I DONT HATE MOZILLA BUT USE IE OR ELSE" and shut firefox down. Am I the only one with this problem? how can I remove this spyware/virus? -- Posted by Zw33K3RB0Y at 9:46 pm on Aug. 31, 2007 I suggest adding this to the FAQ page I created a while back. http://www.golivewire.com/forums/peer-nbepeb-support-a.html Add it please. =P -- Posted by kayla2 at 5:06 pm on Dec. 9, 2007 Thanks so much! Literally.. -- Posted by obvious child at 11:34 pm on Feb. 18, 2008 ADDITION Another way to kill Viruses is to boot in safe mode, which I believe for XP is F8. And then run system restore from safe mode to a point before you had a virus. This has worked for me twice when my anti virus and spyware failed to catch a trojan. -- Posted by mitosblog at 5:42 am on Mar. 15, 2008 I use Spyware Doctor, strongly recommended for everyone -- Posted by Lisa11 at 4:02 am on April 8, 2009 I use latest avast. Is it good for my pc. Rocky -- Posted by Lisa11 at 3:58 am on April 9, 2009 Avast make my system slow. What would be the solution? Rocky -- Posted by Lisa11 at 4:24 am on April 11, 2009 Where I get latest avast. rocky -- Posted by macky82 at 10:06 am on May 7, 2009 Bitdefender is not free... I purchased mine.