Killer Cop was recently banned for trying to make this post when one website, superantispyware, was flagged by Badspot as a shock site. Rest assured, it is not. You'll have to search for it by yourself.
Alright, getting pretty annoyed with the people creating various "I'M INFECTED WITH ADWARE" or "HOW DO I REMOVE THESE ADS" topics, so I'm going to generalize how to fix it with simple steps. This should absolutely remove any adware, and malware you may have.
Level 1 - AdwareAdware is one of the easiest things to remove. Your regular antivirus doesn't usually detect it (at least from what I've seen), so you'll need something else to get rid of it.
Programs to use:
AdwCleaner (click the names of any programs I supply)
A summary of AdwCleaner:
AdwCleaner is a program that searches for and deletes Adware, Toolbars, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), and browser Hijackers from your computer. By using AdwCleaner you can easily remove many of these types of programs for a better user experience on your computer and while browsing the web.
The types of programs that AdwCleaner targets are typically bundled with free programs that you download from the web. In many cases when you download and install a program, the install will state that these programs will be installed along with the program you downloaded. Unless you perform a Custom install, these unwanted programs will automatically be installed on your computer leaving you with extra browser toolbars, adware, and other unwanted programs. AdwCleaner is designed to search for and remove these types of programs.
Usage:
Download AdwCleaner using the link supplied and open it up. The program's UI should appear. To look for adware, click Scan. Wait for it to finish up its scan. It may take a couple minutes, but it looks for specific areas where specific adware lies.
Once scanning completes, look at the results CAREFULLY. False positives are known to be in there, and you can uncheck programs. If it's what you don't want, make sure it's checked. Some items may not be checked.
Once you're certain everything's OK, click Clean. You may be asked to restart your computer or kill explorer.exe, I can't remember which. Click Yes, though, it's mandatory to completely remove it.
Congrats, you got rid of the crappy adware no one wants. I'm certain this removes all well-known adware, but if that doesn't remove it, I'll add a Malwarebytes guide in case this doesn't help.
Level 2 - PUPsPUPs or Potentially Unwanted Programs are also simple to remove. Should take little to no time at all.
Method 1 Programs used:
Programs and Features (this is already on Windows)
Usage:
Open up your Control Panel. Change your View by option to Large icons (this makes it easier). Click on Programs and Features. Scroll down the list until you find what's causing the problem, then click Uninstall/Change, or Uninstall (some may not have a change feature). Go through the whole process of uninstalling it and you should be good.
Method 2 Follow the AdwCleaner guide mentioned above. PUPs also count as adware in most cases.
Method 3 Programs used:
Malwarebytes (BUY PRO HERE) Summary
Usage:
Go through the process of installing Malwarebytes. Before you launch, you should probably uncheck the trial of Malwarebytes Premium. You don't really need it. Before even starting a scan,
WAIT FOR THE DATABASE TO UPDATE. This will verify it will remove any threats recently found (like new day zero viruses).
Once it's done (you'll know), click Scan Now. If you want to uncheck some things to make it go faster, do not hit Scan Now. Click Scan at the top, click Custom Scan, and configure it to your desire. Once you've configured it, click Scan Now.
You might as well kick back and go do something else, because this will take a bit.
Once it's done, check whatever you want to be checked off, and clean it up. It may (more than likely WILL) ask you to restart. Say yes so it will remove all unwanted software.
Damn PUPs are finally gone. Good for you.
Level 3 - VirusesSlightly more annoying to remove at points. AdwCleaner won't get rid of this.
Method 1 Programs used:
YOUR ANTIVIRUS (you have one right)
Usage:
Do a scan with your antivirus. I'm not writing a guide on how to use your own antivirus, this should be something you already know.
Method 2 Follow the Malwarebytes guide above.
Method 3 Programs used:
ComboFix (WARNING: THIS DOES NOT WORK ON WINDOWS 8.1.)RKill If the malware's bad enough or the PC is highly infected, you'll need these two programs to stop them.
DO NOT USE THIS FOR REGULAR VIRUSES/SMALL INFECTIONS. IT WILL WASTE YOUR TIME. You'll need a second PC to download these, so you don't risk infecting those files and making them useless. Throw them onto a USB drive or something.
Once the two files are on the drive, boot up your PC into Safe Mode
WITH NETWORKING. Do some research on how to boot into it for your specific PC's manufacturer. This makes sure most bad programs don't run at all.
If some are running, this is where RKill comes in. Copy the version of RKill you have to the PC and launch it. It the virus program blocks it, download a different version from the website I supplied. There are multiple ones, try them all.
RKill will proceed to terminate any malicious programs so they cannot block the programs you need to use.
Before using ComboFix, something you should know: It will delete files from Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, and your Temp folder. If there's absolutely anything you need from those areas, you'd better grab them. Even if you don't think there is, CHECK.
Copy ComboFix to the PC and launch it. The reason you wanted networking earlier is so ComboFix can install the Microsoft Recovery Console. This will allow ComboFix to remove more serious infections. Make sure you're connected to the internet, or it won't download. Once it says it has installed, click Yes so it can do its work.
This will take a very, very long time. Go out and eat or go do other stuff while it does its work. If you see a log in notepad after a while, congrats! It did its work. Reboot the computer.
The final step you need to do is press Windows + R, then type combofix /uninstall.
This will remove ComboFix's backups and quarantined files completely from your system.
Congrats! You should be completely virus free, and you will have nothing to worry about!
Killer Cop's Recommended Programs ANYTHING I LISTED IN THE GUIDESHitman Pro (requires internet access for best usage)
avast! Antivirus (Free, Pro, Internet Security, or Premier)Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit (BUY PRO HERE)RogueKillerSuperAntiSpywareHiJackThis (use this only when getting help from pros, this does not clean malware)
Thanks for reading this guide and such, and also, this is a removal help topic. If you need some help, post and I'll help ya out. Just helping the community of the BLF out. Have a nice day!
