First Steps for Malware Removal

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Has your browser been hijacked? (Click here for a description of browser hijacking.) Computer running really slow? Do you have pop up ads that take over your computer screen?

Most likely you have a spyware/adware/malware problem. Follow these instructions to better help us help you with your issues.

Below are instructions that will clear malware from most systems.

Step #1

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only 

     Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
     Under Main choose: Select All
     Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser 

     Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
     Click the Empty Selected button.
     NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser 

     Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
     Click the Empty Selected button.
     NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program. For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.


Step #2

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Here or Here

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

  • Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
  • The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
  • When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  • Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  • When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
  • The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.


Extra Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process, if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.


Step #3

Download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users

  • Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
  • An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
  • If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them here.)
  • Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
  • Click the Scanning Control tab.
  • Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):
    • Close browsers before scanning.
    • Scan for tracking cookies.
    • Terminate memory threats before quarantining.
  • Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
  • Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
  • On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
  • On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
  • Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
  • After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
  • Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
  • A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
  • If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".
  • To retrieve the removal information after reboot, launch SUPERAntispyware again.
    • Click Preferences, then click the Statistics/Logs tab.
    • Under Scanner Logs, double-click SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log.
    • If there are several logs, click the current dated log and press View log. A text file will open in your default text editor.
  • Click Close to exit the program.
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