Utilities: *UPDATED 5/16/2010*
The following is a list of utilities we use at MR Computer Services and that we recommend to our customers. As always, you should use caution with some of these tools as they may wreck havoc on your computer if they are used improperly. However, if you would like to attempt to remove the spyware, adware or viruses from your own computer, here are some tools to do just that. Utilities included are compression utilities, spyware and adware removal tools, virus removal programs and a winsock fix utility.
Common Utilities
Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.3 - Software to view, print, and collaborate on PDF files. Acrobat reader is often used when companies use different types of word processing programs and is used by many sites to provide documents to their customers
Winzip Winzip is a trusty old compression tool for packaging files. Most operating systems come with file compression now, but if not this program will help.
CPUID A utility that gathers information on some of the main devices of the system.
Mozilla Firefox The award-winning Firefox Web browser has security, speed and new features that will change the way you use the Web. Don't settle for anything less.
Spyware Removal Tools
Autoruns This program helps technicians to identify and remove startup programs, services, and other items that have been installed by Spyware and Adware. This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. You can configure Autoruns to show other locations, including Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond the MSConfig utility bundled with Windows Me and XP.
Autoruns' Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system and it has support for looking at the auto-starting images configured for other accounts configured on a system. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent that can output in CSV format, Autorunsc.
You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically!
Autoruns' Hide Signed Microsoft Entries option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system and it has support for looking at the auto-starting images configured for other accounts configured on a system. Also included in the download package is a command-line equivalent that can output in CSV format, Autorunsc.
You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically!
Combo Fix This is the best spyware removal program out today! ComboFix is a program, created by sUBs, that scans your computer for known malware, and when found, attempts to clean these infections automatically. In addition to being able to remove a large amount of the most common and current malware, ComboFix also displays a report that can be used by trained helpers to remove malware that is not automatically removed by the program.
CCleaner - is a freeware PC optimization tool. It combines a system cleaner that removes unused and temporary files from your system and also a fully featured registry cleaner!
CW Shredder A removal tool for CoolWebSearch, which is Spyware. Clean your computer of CoolWebSearch infections. CWShredder is the premier tool to find and remove traces of CoolWebSearch, a wide range of insidious browser hijackers.
Defraggler - Individual file and Hard Drive Defragmenter.
DLL Compare DLL Compare - Detect and remove dll files that have been placed in your operating system by malicious spyware and adware programs use in combination with Killbox
EXE Registry Fix - Fixes "EXE" file association in the registry that may get damaged by viruses or malware. ONLY VERIFIED ON WINDOWS XP!
EzPcFix - This program allows the user to access all user entries in the registry and delete associated temporary files, clean startup options, fix Winsock2 issues, and scan for Rootkits.
HiJackThis - This program identifies and removes startup processes and files. This is a general homepage hijackers detector and remover. Initially based on the article Hijacked!, but expanded with almost a dozen other checks against hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks. It does not target specific programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites. As a result, false positives are imminent and unless you are sure what you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgeable folks (e.g. the forums) before deleting anything.
Killbox - Use in combination with DLL Compare. This is a tool to delete in-use files. If the file is running, KillBox will attempt to end the process (close the running file)and delete it. For more difficult files that have loaded .dll's or are services, Delete on Reboot will use the native Windows function of deleting or replacing in-use files.
lspfix - This program is a free Windows utility to repair a loss of Internet access associated with certain types of software. This type of software, known as a Layered Service Provider or LSP, typically handles low-level Internet-related tasks, and data is passed through a chain of these programs on its way to and from the Internet. However, due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of the software, this chain can get broken, causing the Internet connection to become inaccessible.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware - We use in conjunction with ComboFix to find and remove pesky Malware and Spyware. This is an anti-malware application that can thoroughly remove even the most advanced malware. It includes a number of features, including a built in protection monitor that blocks malicious processes before they even start (registered version only).
Recuva - is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players.
SafeMSI - Allows you to start the Windows Install Service in Safe Mode.
SmitfraudFix - This tool removes Desktop Hijack malware: Advanced Antivirus, Advanced Virus Remover, AdwarePunisher, AdwareSheriff, AlphaCleaner, AntiSpyCheck, AntiSpyware Expert, Antispyware Soldier, AntiVermeans, AntiVermins, AntiVerminser, AntiVirGear, Antivirus 2009, Antivirus 2010, Antivirus 360, AntiVirus Lab 2009, Antivirus Master, Antivirus Sentry, Antivirus System Pro, Antivirus XP 2008, AntivirusGolden, AV Antispyware, AVGold, Awola, BraveSentry, Coreguard Antivirus, Extra Antivirus, HomeAntivirus 2009, IE Defender, IE-Security, Internet Antivirus, Malware Defender 2009, MalwareCrush, MalwareWipe, MalwareWiped, MalwaresWipeds, MalwareWipePro, MalwareWiper, Micro Antivirus 2009, MS AntiSpyware 2009, MS Antivirus, PC Protection Center 2008, Personal Defender 2009, PestCapture, PestTrap, Power Antivirus, Power-Antivirus-2009, PSGuard, quicknavigate.com, RegistryFox, Registry Cleaner, Renus 2008, Security iGuard, Smart Antivirus 2009, Smitfraud, SmitFraudFixTool, Spy Protector, SpyAxe, SpyCrush, SpyDown, SpyFalcon, SpyGuard, SpyHeal, SpyHeals, SpyLocked, SpyMarshal, SpySheriff, SpySoldier, Spyware Guard 2008, Spyware Protect 2009, Spyware Vanisher, Spyware Soft Stop, SpywareLocked, SpywareQuake, SpywareKnight, SpywareRemover, SpywareSheriff, SpywareStrike, Startsearches.net, System Antivirus 2008, System Guard 2009, TheSpyBot, TitanShield Antispyware, Total Protect 2009, Total Secure 2009, Trust Cleaner, Ultimate Antivirus 2008, UpdateSearches.com, UnVirex, Virtual Maid, Virus Heat, Virus Protect, Virus Protect Pro, VirusBlast, VirusBurst, VirusRay, Virus Remover 2008, Virus Shield, VirusResponse Lab 2009, VirusTrigger, Win32.puper, WinHound, WinPC Defender, WiniBlueSoft, Vista Antivirus 2008, WinDefender 2009, XLG Security Center, XP Deluxe Protector, XP Security Center, XPert Antivirus, XP Police Antivirus, Brain Codec, ChristmasPorn, DirectAccess, DirectVideo, EliteCodec, eMedia Codec, EZVideo, FreeVideo, Gold Codec, HQ Codec, iCodecPack, IECodec, iMediaCodec, Image ActiveX Object, Image Add-on, IntCodec, iVideoCodec, JPEG Encoder, Key Generator, LookForPorn, Media-Codec, MediaCodec, MMediaCodec, MovieCommander, MPCODEC, My Pass Generator, NetProject, Online Image Add-on, Online Video Add-on, PCODEC, Perfect Codec, PowerCodec, PornPass Manager, PornMag Pass, Pornovid, PrivateVideo, QualityCodec, Silver Codec, SearchPorn, SexVid, SiteEntry, SiteTicket, SoftCodec, strCodec, Super Codec, TrueCodec, VideoAccess, VideoBox, VidCodecs, Video Access ActiveX Object, Video ActiveX Object, Video Add-on, VideoCompressionCodec, VideoKeyCodec, VideosCodec, WinAntiSpyPro, WinMediaCodec, X Password Generator, X Password Manager, ZipCodec, WinCoDecPRO...
Spybot Search & Destroy - This program detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. It can also clean usage tracks, an interesting function if you share your computer with other users and don't want them to see what you have been working on. And for professional users, Spybot-S &D allows you to fix some registry inconsistencies and extended reports.
Spywareblaster - Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software! Simple, effective, trusted.
SUPERAntispyware - SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition is 100% Free and will detect and remove thousands of Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. SUPERAntiSpyware features many unique and powerful technologies and removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove.
SpywareFix - All of the Spyware Removal Utilites in one self extracting file.
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials: 32-Bit XP, 32-Bit Vista_Win7, 64-Bit Vista_Win7 - Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It's easy to tell if your PC is secure - when you're green, you're good. It's that simple. Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want-without interruptions or long computer wait times. *Your PC must run a genuine Windows Operating System, (Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3); Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2); Windows 7), to install Microsoft Security Essentials.
Free AVG 9.0 - Antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows available to download for free
ESET NOD32 Provides the world's most effective proactive antivirus and antispyware protection. We use on our computers at MR Computer Services, they offer a 30 Free trial. However, if you want a completely free program, we suggest AVG Free.
Norton Removal Tool Gets rid of Norton Anti virus, Norton 360 and other Norton products when you can't uninstall them
McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool (MCPR.exe) removes all 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 versions of McAfee consumer products.
Windows Repair
WUFix (Windows Update Fix) Having problems getting Windows Updates? WUFix is a batch file that cleans out the downloaded Windows Updates files and resets all the Windows Update services to allow you to once again get those much needed updates. For Windows XP only.
Winsock Fix Winsock makes the Internet work. If you have no Internet you can use this to help get you back online. (be sure to download and have it ready for when your Internet goes out)
Tech Support Remote Support File Click on the link to connect to a technician. Please call the office first to speak to a technician who will get you connected to him/her. (Click here for Mac)
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