Free or Cheap Virus Scan/Clean Up

[Cinerbelle]

Hi Everyone,

My computer is running super slow. I am sure my kids have gotten it infected with a virus of some sort. Does anyone know of a free or cheap virus scan/clean up that works? I am afraid if I Google it I might end up with a bogus site and get more junk loaded on my computer. Help!!

Thanks!

 

[bartleby1]

ccleaner is a great cookie cleaner and registry fixer and it is free. I run it multiple times a day.

malwarebytes is great for fixing malware/trojans/virus issues and is free.

I use AVG for my virus software and it is free also.

HTH!

 

[momof1princess]

bartleby is right....all 3 programs are excellent. i work online and many of my co-workers use these programs to protect their computers with no problems (i have a subscription service myself).

 

[tinkerbell615]

I second malwarebytes.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

here are a couple of threads that may help you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2380159

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2377518

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Also try Windows Defender which is a free program from Microsoft.

 

[smidgen21]

My BIL who is an IT director recommends AVG...they use it on all their PCs at home and so do I.

 

[3boymthr]

AVG and malwarebytes are rated best by PC magazine.

 

[feezle]

Another vote for MalwareBytes and AVG.

One thing you may want to note, depending on how messed up your pc is, you may have difficulty installing/running either of them. If you have hijackers installed, if you try to get to those pages, you will probably be redirected. If that is the case, boot up in safe mode with networking. You should be able to install from there.

If it is really infected and you don't have too much of value on it, you are usually better off backing up anything important and reformatting.

 

[crazelion]

Repeat Repeat Please don't use Program called HIGHJACKTHIS without help or if don't know what doing. That is a very powerful little program and should not be use unless know what doing.

I recommend AVG, Malware.orgs, Spybot Search Destroy. Superantiware is all free is very good.

 

[dapoteete]

bumping so I can find the thread later

 

[3boymthr]

AVG and malwarebytes are rated best by PC magazine.

 

[WDWCastMember]

AVG and malwarebytes are rated best by PC magazine.

 

[seashoreCM]

I have used a program called Spybot. You can download that.

Sometimes essential programs and files are deleted as part of the virus cleaning process. Whether this happens is unpredictable and you have to be prepared for the possibility you have to reload your computer with all the software it came with.

 

[disneymarie]

My BIL who is an IT director recommends AVG...they use it on all their PCs at home and so do I.

Another AVG recomendation
I work online from home pt time/as need, for a huge Adjusting company and they have AVG all the way.
Free 9.0 is on mine.

 

[bonoriffic]

Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free from Microsoft and new so some may not be familiar with it. It takes the place of Windows Defender. It is both malware and virus protection.

It is very frugal with system resources, so it won't slow you down as many other programs do. It also is highly regarded in the various litmus tests for malware and anti-virus, so it actually does the job quite well.

 

[Evi]

Try panda or ivg but if you have comcast you can get free norton.

 

[ndfi78]

Do not use Norton, it is a horrible program that is almost as bad as having a virus. Microsoft Security Essentials is good, as well as AVG.

To start out go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com and run that. Then download malwarebytes and run that. If things seem back to normal install MSE or AVG Free.