Get Rid Of Computer Viruses

[smo]

I’m thinking of running a small computer repair business within the senior mobile home park where I live (in Southern California). Nothing state of the art considering the age of the users.

However I guess the most anxious requests would be to get rid of computer viruses. I wonder what is the best software to use in this instance. I use ZoneAlarm myself, but this is not a freeware. Ideally I am looking for a program that could run from a CD that I can bring with me when I make housecalls, that way I don’t have to install and uninstall any thing onto my client’s computer.

In short the least hassle way to get rid of viruses on somebody else’ computer. Any suggestions?

Thank you much in advance.

[stumonster]

zone alarm is a firewall - highly recommended and there is a free version for personal use - though if you use it the winXP firewall needs to be disabled

have a look at the threads pinned at the top of the page - they give details about several free programs to remove virus ,adware and spyware

my recommendations are

spybot search and destroy - http://security.kolla.de

adaware - www.lavasoftusa.com

Anti Vir XP - www.freeav.com

all free programs which will identify and remove 90% of problems.

there are some tricky malicious programs around which require a little more surgury to remove - but after you have identified the culprit - via google - you can get detailed instructions for removal - via google.

[Guest endure]

I’m thinking of running a small computer repair business within the senior mobile home park where I live (in Southern California). Nothing state of the art considering the age of the users.

However I guess the most anxious requests would be to get rid of computer viruses. I wonder what is the best software to use in this instance. I use ZoneAlarm myself, but this is not a freeware. Ideally I am looking for a program that could run from a CD that I can bring with me when I make housecalls, that way I don’t have to install and uninstall any thing onto my client’s computer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you don't install any anti-virus software on your client's computer you'll be getting a lot of repeat business...

Edited November 18, 2005 by endure

[Buff-horns]

its a piece of cake to do ,IF the hardrive on which the infected windows resides is NOT active. identify where the viri are and then make it a secondary drive and then just go in wherever and delete the buggers.

you might need to cleanup the registery after to get rid of some remains .

i use ewido for cleaning up.

[mr-chris]

If you know the very basics of using Linux and know how to use a 'dos' command line, then I'd suggest going with something like PHLAK (linux distro) and F-Prot for linux.

It is a bootable cd which loads Phlak linux, a pro hacker setup. Once you're in, run f-prot, a free for linux anti-virus id program.

Find the foul little virii and simply delete them, as simply as deleting a text file under windows.

Best point about this is windows virii can't run under linux so you are safe, not that you'll be able to have them written to the cd, and the client's com will be running safe.

Once you're done, simply remove the cd and reboot. Let windows repair itself if required.

God, I love Linux!

[smo]

If you know the very basics of using Linux and know how to use a 'dos' command line, then I'd suggest going with something like PHLAK (linux distro) and F-Prot for linux.

It is a bootable cd which loads Phlak linux, a pro hacker setup. Once you're in, run f-prot, a free for linux anti-virus id program.

Find the foul little virii and simply delete them, as simply as deleting a text file under windows.

Best point about this is windows virii can't run under linux so you are safe, not that you'll be able to have them written to the cd, and the client's com will be running safe.

Once you're done, simply remove the cd and reboot. Let windows repair itself if required.

God, I love Linux! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but I don't know linux.

Thanks for all your inputs. Seem like I'll have to install one antivirus program or another on my client's drive after all.

[Tywais]

Another free virus program is ClamAV. I use it on our facilities firewall/gateway (Linux) to filter incoming e-mail. There is also a Windows version. It supports automatic virus file updates.

http://www.clamwin.com/

Regardless of what you use it is imperative that you do add virus protection on your client's computers or you will be shooting yourself in the foot.

Note:

"Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner, that is, you need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus. Microsoft Outlook Addin, however will delete a virus-infected attachment automatically."

It does however have a scanning schedular so you can automate the scanning process.

Edited November 19, 2005 by tywais

[Guest endure]

I’m thinking of running a small computer repair business within the senior mobile home park where I live (in Southern California). Nothing state of the art considering the age of the users.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you intend to charge these people money? Do you have much experience in the computer field? It seems not, seeing that you didn't realise that a full-time anti virus program needs to be installed on each machine in order to keep it clean.

[Guest endure]

Two more free anti virus programs:

www.avast.com

www.grisoft.com

[smo]

I’m thinking of running a small computer repair business within the senior mobile home park where I live (in Southern California). Nothing state of the art considering the age of the users.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you intend to charge these people money? Do you have much experience in the computer field? It seems not, seeing that you didn't realise that a full-time anti virus program needs to be installed on each machine in order to keep it clean.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Take it easy, endure. Money is not an issue here. We're just a bunch of old geysers trying to help each other out in cyberspace. Young people don't want to deal with poor old folks anymore, you know. We don't have much data anyway. And no, we won't take each other to court. So calm down.

[francois]

If you know the very basics of using Linux and know how to use a 'dos' command line, then I'd suggest going with something like PHLAK (linux distro) and F-Prot for linux.

It is a bootable cd which loads Phlak linux, a pro hacker setup. Once you're in, run f-prot, a free for linux anti-virus id program.

Find the foul little virii and simply delete them, as simply as deleting a text file under windows.

Best point about this is windows virii can't run under linux so you are safe, not that you'll be able to have them written to the cd, and the client's com will be running safe.

Once you're done, simply remove the cd and reboot. Let windows repair itself if required.

God, I love Linux! 

Sorry, but I don't know linux.

Thanks for all your inputs. Seem like I'll have to install one antivirus program or another on my client's drive after all.

hi'

agreed 100% with what been said before, but if you make your job honnestly, protect your customers, you'll see them back anyway

francois

[stumonster]

there are quite a few programs out there that can be installed on a thumb/usb flash drive but the problem then is people who are still running win98 will need to have drivers installed to be able to recognise the drive. win2000/XP will automatically recognise the drive.

a re-writeable cd would probably be the easiest option - but yes you will have to install the programs on the computers - though with spybot and adaware the updates can just be downloaded and written to dosc and then just copied into the relevant directories on each comp as they come out - usually every 14 days

[stumonster]

not a typical USB 'thumb' drive

[RDN]

zone alarm is a firewall - highly recommended and there is a free version for personal use ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They've now branched into the anti-spyware and anti-virus business with their "ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite", which is not free. I guess that's what smo is talking about.

[Guest endure]

I’m thinking of running a small computer repair business within the senior mobile home park where I live (in Southern California). Nothing state of the art considering the age of the users.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you intend to charge these people money? Do you have much experience in the computer field? It seems not, seeing that you didn't realise that a full-time anti virus program needs to be installed on each machine in order to keep it clean.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Take it easy, endure. Money is not an issue here. We're just a bunch of old geysers trying to help each other out in cyberspace. Young people don't want to deal with poor old folks anymore, you know. We don't have much data anyway. And no, we won't take each other to court. So calm down.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wasn't having a go. I was just curious as to whether you were hoping to make a living out of it