Spyware Removal, Is formatting PC enough ?

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m2611
Member since: May 04

Posts: 314
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 05-02-10 19:02:56

Thanks all again for contributing

I already conveyed all information to my friend

He also discuss with 2-3 different PC technician.
Only 1 says spyware might be present even after complete comprehensive format while 2 says don't worry your PC will be spyware free after comprehensive format

So he is going to start using this PC soon, but little concerned 2 more things -

a. Before formatting his PC, he took some back up for peronal files which consist of Word, Excel,PDF as well as photos. He saved those on USB. Will spyware re-appear if he copy those back up files in his PC ?
As per pratickm, it might re-appear
What steps or care he should take ?

b. Is there any way to get an idea or confirmation if his PC is spyware free without going to technician ?

m2611
Member since: May 04

Posts: 314
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 05-02-10 19:04:51

Quote:
Originally posted by nishant3112

Download the Microsoft Security Essentials...its better than Norton and removes the most adware, virus and spyware....you will really love it and its FREE on Microsoft Website..

Can he use Microsoft Security Essentials along with Norton 360 OR
Only one software is allowed at atime ?

pratickm
Member since: Feb 04

Posts: 2831
Location: Toronto
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 05-02-10 19:18:07

Quote:
Originally posted by m2611
He also discuss with 2-3 different PC technician.
Only 1 says spyware might be present even after complete comprehensive format while 2 says don't worry your PC will be spyware free after comprehensive format

I don't understand how spyware can be present after format (soft or hard) and re-installing everything from original source disks.
However, there are rare types of BIOS viruses that will stay even after a hard disk format.
I believe they are known as rootkit attacks and would require re-flashing the BIOS of a computer.
There are also hardware-specific viruses that infect BIOS of devices like printers and scanners.
However, those are viruses and not spyware and are very rare indeed.

Quote:

a. Before formatting his PC, he took some back up for peronal files which consist of Word, Excel,PDF as well as photos. He saved those on USB. Will spyware re-appear if he copy those back up files in his PC ?

There are macro viruses that could be embedded into Word and Excel files.
It is best to scan all the backed up files on a clean system with latest versions of anti-virus and anti-spyware installed on it.
Scan all the contents of the USB drive and if it comes up clean, then it should be ok.

Quote:
b. Is there any way to get an idea or confirmation if his PC is spyware free without going to technician ?

Well, how did he find the spyware initially?
It must have exhibited some symptoms like popups, browser re-directs, sys-tray icons, etc.
If those symptoms do not appear again, then it's probably gone.
He could also try installing Windows Defender or Security Essentials.
I would also suggest to turn up security settings in IE to Medium-High or High for the next little while to avoid re-infection from web browsing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"

nishant3112
Member since: Apr 08

Posts: 190
Location: Niagara Falls
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 08-02-10 11:06:58

Quote:
Originally posted by m2611

Quote:
Originally posted by nishant3112

Download the Microsoft Security Essentials...its better than Norton and removes the most adware, virus and spyware....you will really love it and its FREE on Microsoft Website..

Can he use Microsoft Security Essentials along with Norton 360 OR
Only one software is allowed at atime ?

I dont think u need Norton 360 if you are using Microsoft Security Essentials...Sometimes the counter effects of 2 anti virus running together might screw up certain things

Contributors: m2611(4) pratickm(3) nishant3112(2) chandresh(1) akscanada(1)

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