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Overview
Malicious software goes by many names: Spyware, worms, viruses, Trojans, Adware, keystroke loggers, pests, and more. "Spyware" often is used to mean all malicious software other than viruses. I prefer the term "malware" as it's a bit more descriptive. This page is for removing any type of malware.

The following is a blueprint for removing any and all malicious software from an infected Windows computer. This is not customized for a particular malware program, but applies to all malicious software. The intended audience here are computer nerds and, as such, some introductory details have been omitted. It's more a cheat-sheet than a tutorial. If you are not a computer nerd and think your computer may be infected (see Symptoms section below), tell your local techie about this page.

The goal described below is to remove the malware from Windows. This should not, however, be the goal in all instances.

Depending on the circumstances, the correct approach might be to wipe the hard disk clean and re-install or recover Windows. A clean install is the only 100% guaranteed way to return the computer to a fully functioning state. If the computer is used for anything judged to be important, a clean install is probably called for. Likewise, it it's used for home banking a clean install may be the best approach. Also, a clean install takes only so much time. The procedure described below can drag on and on ...

For another opinion on rebuilding the OS vs. fixing it see Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do? Part 1 (May 2004) and Part 2 (July 2004) by Jesper M. Johansson Security Program Manager Microsoft Corporation

The two big downsides to a clean install are losing the installed applications and all user data files. Trying to backup data files before wiping the hard disk clean is an accident waiting to happen, you're bound to overlook some. One way to insure that all files are backed up is to make a disk image backup. In fact, it can't hurt to make an image backup, even when you opt to remove the malware rather than doing a clean install of Windows. From the new copy of Windows (or another computer altogether) you can cherry pick data files off the image backup at your leisure.

Even without disk image backups, it is possible to both do a clean install of Windows and also save the existing infested copy of Windows (not for the applications necessarily but to insure that you have all your data files). How? Hard disk partitions. You can keep the old copy of Windows in one

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