Malware/Spyware Removal

What to remove?

• You can remove any or all cookies, but it's better to leave the ones for good sites that you recognize.
• DSO Exploit: safe to remove.
• Others: It depends. That's what this page is all about though. ;)
• Example of a typical dilemma.

Online help with malware removal

• The tutorials at bleepingcomputer.com are a good place to start. They'll give you a good idea of what's involved.
• Read the short tutorial at Patrick M. Colla's Spybot-S&D site. PestPatrol's site has information on a vast number of specific spyware, Trojan and other pests.
• CastleCops Wiki has a comprehensive guide to spyware removal.
• Suggestions at Spyware Warrior on what to do if your computer is overrun with spyware.
• Solution from PC Magazine: Don't Sweat The Fragments "One of the contentious issues with spyware removal software is whether a product must remove every last fragment of a program. Certainly removing everything is better, but some fragments are more important than others, and some are just plain unimportant."
• Use the CNET Download.com "Spyware Removers" or Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' "Bustin’ malware!" to find programs that can detect and remove malware from your PC.
• Tom Coyote Forums provide free help and support for computer security questions, and they specialize in the removal of malicious software (malware).
• Anti-Spy.com: Comprehensive list of files and Windows processes that will answer many of your questions about strange things running on your computer.
• Get help with removing malware at Jim Eschelman's AumHa website and forums.
• You'll also find more information at this site on removing spyware and other malware.

Personally, if I ever found a Trojan Horse or Hacker Tool on my PC, I would not use it any further for financial transactions until I reinstalled Windows. Cleaning it may not be good enough. You'd never know what else might have been left behind. For example, a nasty rootkit.