Computer infected with MalwareAlarm-what now?

Factual Questions
1

A little bit of research indicates that it’s goal is to get me to buy software to fix a slowness problem that it is creating itself.

There are some removal programs but I hesitate to buy one or search for a free one without someone vouching for it.

Anyy suggestions/recommendations/tips?

TIA

2

SuperAntiSpyware is a pretty thorough malware removal program.

(There’s a free version)

3

This link seems to address manual removal:
http://forum.securitycadets.com/index.php?showtopic=3938

Good luck.

4

Looks like this one requires downloading a couple of tools though.

Anybody else want to cast their vote for which of the above I should use?

5

I currently use superantispyware.

6

Another vote for SuperAntiSpyware and also Avast - run the boot time scan when it has installed then reset your screensaver to the Avast one - it will scan your machine when it is idle without you having to intervene.

7

Are these both going to detect and remove this specific problem?

8

I like Spybot Search & Destroy.

9

Yes, anything they find will be either healed or quarantined.
In some cases they can’t heal an infected file so you have to kill it and replace the file with a new one.

The suggestion of Spybot Search And Destroy is a good one but be sure to get that though and not something that sounds like it - try Download.com. Also AdAware from Lavasoft.se

10

I like spybot too, but if resetting your computer to the day before this happened is an option, I have done this successfully to remove spyware a few times.

11

I have AdAware Personal SE and didn’t even think to use it. Frankly, over the years I’ve used it periodically and have never gotten a good feeling about it really accomplishing anything. I do click and quarantine every file it identifies.

12

If you have AdAware already, just make sure you update it first before using it. Do this with any spyware removal tool - even if you just now downloaded it. They have “definitions” that identify new spyware apps and issues every day. The latest editions aren’t always included in the file you download to install the app.

Many people use 2 anti-spyware apps on a regular basis. I personally use both SpyBot and AdAware.