Bad software is known by many possible names: spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, ad-ware, keystroke loggers. The goal is to remove this junky malware from your OS system. Depending on the extent of your situation and the level of infection, many methods can be enabled. Here are some ways to get your system clean (or cleaner).
1.) Wiping you hard drive is one option but a drastic one, only consider this as a very last alternative. You will loose all your installed applications and all your user data files. The time needed to reinstall your basic operating system is extensive and you will never recover the other files written over on your hard drive.
2.) Multi-partitioning your hard disk is another possible answer. Software programs on the market can help you partition your hard drive. Then you can keep your old files and Windows operating system in one partition and do an install of a new Windows operating system into another partition. You can then run your anti virus and spyware detectors on the old partition while continuing to function using the new partition.
3.) Purchase or download then install a good anti-virus and any good efficient spyware program. Run this software and start the hunt. AVG is an excellent ant-virus program and is free for private use. The other program I recommend is Ad-aware .
4.) Disconnect your computer from the Internet while hunting for malware on your computer. Use a mouse and keyboard that is directly connected to your computer just in case during the hunt.
5.) Review the list of your auto-started services and stop the ones you do not recognize. Get on the internet and do some research to verify what they are before you stop them. But do remove any that do not have a description of their actions. Never forget that your system has automatic processes you are not aware of. To examine them for infiltration, use a program like this one from Microsoft to help correct any problems.
6.) Use you head and taken your time to look for specific malware with "good names" located in good directories. As Microsoft points out, the winlogon.exe file should be in the C:\Windows\system32 directory and nowhere else.
7.) Examine your hosts file and see if you are being blocked with other entries. The hosts file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Your Windows operating system checks the hosts file before it queries any DNS servers. This host file uses a running list fro verification. It looks like a resolved IP address with a small gap and a entry of 127.0.0.1 on each line. For example if some malicious software put this in your hosts file msn.com 127.0.0.1 on your computer, you will never connect to this site. This type of entry blocks IP's using what is called a loop back address. A hosts file has the ability to block other applications from connecting to the Internet. If you are really sick of seeing a specific popup when you visit a certain site then right click on the pop up and get the resolved IP address like stupidjunk12/123junkstuff.com and copy down just the primary part that says 123junkstuff.com and enter it into you host file like this: 123junkstuff.com 127.0.0.1 and this will block the ad and you will never see it again.
8.) Make Windows Explorer display all hidden and system files. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options, then click the View tab click Under Hidden files and folders then click on Show hidden files and folders.
9.) Delete your web browser's temporary Internet Files, the files in your recycle bin, your web browser history, and your Java cache (by going to the Control Panel - Java - General Tab). Do this often.
10.) Download and use alternatives to Internet Explorer like Firefox, Chrome or Safari.
