WindizUpdate:http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/
Paranoid about Windows Updates or disabled the Windows Update service? Do you have a non I.E. browser such as Firefox or Opera? Then get WindizUpdate, no Windows Genuine Advantage software is needed; just install the Add On to you're browser and you're ready to go.

Firewall: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

AntiVirus: http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php

Removal of Norton AV: http://www.techsupportforum.com/general-security/75996-how-rem...ducts.html

RegSeeker: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/regseeker.html
-Deletes obsolete Registries (you may need to run this about 3 times until you get under about 10. reboot and scan again, i suggest running this any time you uninstall something)

HOSTS File: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
-blocks spyware sites

SpywareBlaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
-blocks spyware

Crap Cleaner (CCleaner): http://www.ccleaner.com/
-Cleans out unneeded files, also has a registry scan.

Firefox user? Fire Tune: http://www.totalidea.com/freestuff4.htm
-Changes entries in Firefox's about:config to make it run smoother.

Tune Up Utilities 2006: http://www.tune-up.com/
-Has various tools to make XP run smoother, it runs on a 30 day trial and you then may pay to keep it. I suggest using the Tune Up system control, and everything in clean up and repair. now i suggest going to Optimize and Improve and going to System Optimizer and first running 1 click maintenance, i also suggest running Internet Optimization as well as System Optimization.

BootVis: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=664
-Makes for quick booting. after install, start the program, go to trace, do trace next boot and driver delays. then click ok, your computer will now restart. now after you log in, DO NOT DO ANYTHING. let bootvis show up with the graphical data infront of you. after doing so go to trace, optimize, and again don't do anything after you log in, let bootvis do it's thing. after it does, you may close the program (but do not uninstall)

Diskeeper: This is a program that you must buy, but remember there are other ways of getting software.... regardless, this program is a defragmenter much better than the one bundled with XP. after opening, go to action > configure diskeeper> diskeeper configuration properties. go to Frag Shield and click edit. now scroll down, click the bullet "configure the MFT.." then click submit and continue on with the process. then click apply then ok on Diskeeper Configuration Properties. Now go to Action> Manual Defragmentation Job Properties. click Recommended Defragmentation and check off Efficiently defragment large files. Click apply and ok. Now go to Set It and Forget It on the left side. click on Boot Time Defragmentation Job Properties. Make sure the only thing checked off is Defragment the paging file and Defragment the Master File Table, then click up top, On Next Manual Reboot. Then click apply and ok. Again on the left click Primary Defragmentation Job Properties. Enable it and set it to run for whenever you want it to. click defragmentation methods and click Comprehensive Defragmentation. Then Click Apply and ok. Now on the left again click the I-FAAST Defragmentation Properties. Enable it and set it to whenever you have your Primary Defrag runing, then click apply and ok. Now unless you have the Primary Defrag running already by schedule, click defragment and let it do its thing.

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XP Tweaks: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1590

I suggest doing the following numbers:

2
3
4
7
12
13
20
24
28
35
37
39
40
43
46
72
79
81
84
85
86
90
92
93
94

Also any others that you wish to venture =)

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Services:http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
-Disable useless services

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Open your add/remove programs tab and remove any of the following programs if you find them listed. These are all malware (spyware/adware) entry’s that may appear in the add/remove programs tab so IF you find the entry...uninstall the program.

180 Search Assistant
180Solutions
Active alert
Ad Service
AdTools
AdTools Service
Alexa toolbar
BargainBuddy
Bullseye Networks
CashBack
cosmi
DH
EasySearchBar
Elite Sidebar
Elite Toolbar
Freeze Clip Art
GAIN
Gator
Hotbar Outlook Tools
Hotbar Web Tools
HuntBar
Internet Optimizer
ISTbar
ISTSvc
MaxiFiles
Media Access
Media Gateway
MySearch
MyWay Search Bar
MyWebSearch
NavExcel Search Toolbar
NavHelper
ncase
Oemji Toolbar
Open Site
Preview AdService
Search Toolbar (HuntBar/WinTools)
ShopperReports by Hotbar
Sidefind
SideSearch
Slotchbar
Software Update Manager
SurfAccuracy
SurfSideKick
Upspiral Toolbar
TurboDownload
VBouncer
Viewpoint
Viewpoint Manager
Viewpoint Media Player
WareOut
WeatherBug
Web Rebates
Web Search Toolbar (WinTools)
Webhancer
WhenU (any entry)
WeirdOnTheWeb
Windows AdService
Windows AdStatus
Windows ServeAd
WinTools
WinTools Easy Installer
WSEM Update

These are Optional removals but we recommend you remove them as well.

Download Accelerator Plus
Kazaa
Kontiki
Messenger Plus
NetPumper
NewDotNet
P2P Networking
StarWare
WildTangent

*Note* If you're unsure about ANY entry then leave it alone i'll will advise you in the fix later.

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http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/


We need to configure Ad-aware SE for a full scan. Some of them should be enabled by default, while others you will need to set yourself (see below).

Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window

1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:
--> Automatically save logfile
--> Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
--> Safe Mode (always request confirmation)
2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :
--> Scan within archives
--> Scan active processes
--> Scan registry
--> Deep-scan registry
--> Scan my IE Favorites for banned URLs
--> Scan my Hosts file
· Under Select drives & folders to scan, choose:
--> Select all of your hard drives that are not selected already
Click the Tweak button and select:
· Under the Scanning Engine:
--> Unload recognized processes & modules during scan
· Under the Cleaning Engine:
--> Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot
Click on Proceed to save the settings.

Click Start and on the next screen choose:
--> Use custom scanning options
Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.




------------------
http://www.safer-networking.org/

Download and install Spybot S&D. Run Spybot and choose Spybot S&D - easy mode.

a. Close ALL windows except Spybot S&D
b. Click the button to Search for Updates and download and install the updates.
c. Next click the button Check for Problems.
d. When Spybot is complete, it will be showing RED entries, BLACK entries, and GREEN entries in the window.
e. Put a check mark beside the RED entries ONLY.
f. Choose Fix Selected Problems and allow Spybot to fix the RED entries.
g. After removing those files, close Spybot and go to the next step.

* Additional Information:
* Immunize - Spybot S&D has a feature that can help block Internet Explorer immunities (these include installation of known spyware, bad ActiveX controls, etc.). Just go into Spybot->Immunize (on the left panel) and click on the Immunize button. Do this every time you update Spybot since it may also have updates for the Immunize feature. You should see it listed in the updates though.
* TeaTimer - This feature will provide real-time protection for any registry changes. It will ask you for permission before allowing the registry change. Most of the time these are legitimate, but if you spot something suspicious, make sure you Deny it. An example would be a malicious site trying to change your homepage. If you are sure that something is good/bad, then you may also wish to check the box to remember the settings for next time. To enable this real-time protection feature in Spybot, go into Spybot->Tools (on the lower left side panel)-> Resident and make sure that Resident TeaTimer is checked.

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http://www.greyknight17.com/spy/HijackThis.exe

Before running HJT, go to msconfig (Start->Run and type in msconfig and hit OK - then go to Startup tab and make sure EVERYTHING is checked. (keep a note of what is UNCHECKED before hand though so you may uncheck them afterwards). Now run HijackThis.exe and click on Scan. This should take a few seconds. Now click on Save Log and save it. After you do so, send it to me and i'll take a look at it to see if theres anything wrong.


-----------

Portions of the tutorial are taken from http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.php

If you see any typos please PM me; I've already spotted a few.

I suggest unplugging it from the Internet and keeping the XP install CD + key close by.



Oh, and don't do anything to case and especially don't put a big magnet near by. XD

XD

turn off system restore before trying to remove crap, as crap stays with backup files aswell

Oh, and if you do a system restore, it only restores the essentials. It doesn't delete anything but it may overwrite.

ive seen people use the system restore before after the system was cleaned and it put the stuff back as if it wasnt cleaned.

yeah system restore is unpredictable for exactly what it will and won't restore aside from system essentials =/

Well, the one time I had to use it, all the malware crap was still there after the system restore but the restore updated the start up and stuff to no longer link to it--rendering the malware useless. I could then safely install SpyBot to get rid of them and was fine since. If you use a restore that was made after the infection, it will still be active. If you use a restore before the infection, the files will still be there but inactive. There are some viruses in particular that do tamper with System Restore so that the restore will leave the virus alone.

One thing I was always taught: Occasionally run all of your virus and spyware scanners and removers in Safe Mode.

Good guide

thanks

Or for fun :
1. disable all firewalls
2. connect your pc directly to cable/dsl modem (no router firewall inbetween)
3. uninstall all antivirus programs
4. uninstall all anti-spyware/malware programs
5. Roll back to XP without service packs
6. Uninstall all windows updates
And heres the fun part...you get to see how long it is untill your system slows down to a hault.

Or do the exact opposite and have a secure system.

XD win.

diskeeper isnt that flash i like perfect disk its great

some people have had problems with diskeepers offline defrag corrupting windows install

diskeeper isnt that flash i like perfect disk its great

some people have had problems with diskeepers offline defrag corrupting windows install

hey bro, did you forget about Hijack This?

Just checking now. BTW, does anyone notice how the "add or remove" programs menu takes FOREVER to load? And this is the case of every computer I've ever experienced? It takes >10 minutes.

I use YourUninstaller! 2006

its slightly faster and cleans regristy and left over files