Removing malware?

Factual Questions
1

I’ve been attacked by malware. Specifically XP Internet Security 2010. My PC is basically out of service. I’ve been trying various remedies but the malware itself is preventing me from doing a lot of things I’d like to try.

I can’t get online (I’m doing this from a library). I’ve run AVG and Avast to no effect. I’ve run the free diagnostic of SpyDoctor and it tells me I have malware but I have to buy the registered version to fix it. I’d be willing to buy the registered version but the malware prevents me from doing this. I’ve downloaded a copy of Windows Defender and I’m going to try that next.

Any advice?

ETA: Standard PC (a Gateway model) running Windows XP.

2

Download the MSRT and run it in safe mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.aspx

If that doesnt work try ComboFix in safe mode.

3

You may want to read a similar thread in ATMB.

My answer remains the same. Read the sticky, try it, and if that doesn’t work, get back to us.

4

First solution is to try Malwarebytes. It’s usually pretty effective – though malware nowadays often shuts it down before it can work or install.

If that doesn’t work, the next step is Super Antispyware. It’s more effective, but, again, malware often shuts it down.

After that, it gets tricky. GMER searches for rootkits; if it finds one, be sure to delete it (they will be highlighted in red).

If all else fails, you may need to create a boot disk with BART PE to find the rootkits in your C:\windows\system32 folder.

5

I removed the 2008 and 2009 versions of this thing by renaming the downloaded installer file before running it, and then running it from the installer. I don’t know if this still works or not.

6

My thanks for everyone’s help. I spent several hours running anti-malware program today and it appears to have worked.