Windows XP Virus Removal Tools
Any computer which is connected to the Internet is at risk for being infected with a virus, Trojan, worm, spyware or other malicious software attack. A number of programs exist to protect computers from infection and remove viruses from infected computers. Windows XP has its own virus removal tool as well. However, users should be aware that malicious programs may disguise themselves as virus removal tools.
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Commercial Virus Removal Tools
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Many computer owners trust their computers to commercial virus protection software packages. Two of the best known programs are McAfee and Symantec, which manufactures the Norton software line. Each software package offers antivirus protection and virus removal functions. Users generally choose one program or another. In some instances, the antivirus software programs may cause conflicts when a user installs new programs on her machine.
Free Programs
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Free antivirus protection is very rare. AVG is one of the very few software packages which offers a fully functional, if basic, free antivirus program. Other free programs, such as Zone Alarm and LavaSoft AdAware, offer free versions with spyware detection and removal abilities, but no antivirus functions. Those functions are only available in the paid versions. Windows Defender and Spybot Search and Destroy are also free programs designed to detect and remove spyware, rather than being virus removal tools.
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Windows XP Malicious Software Removal Tool
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Windows XP is equipped with its own Malicious Software Removal tool. It is updated regularly through the Windows Update function. The Malicious Software Removal tool ordinarily runs silently in the background to detect malicious software before it can infect a user's computer. Users can also run the program manually from its webpage. Another Windows scanning tool is the Windows Live Safety Scanner.
Antivirus XP 2008
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A malicious software program called Antivirus XP 2008 disguises itself as an antivirus software program. It infects a user's computer through web pages which have been infected with the malware. Once it installs itself on a victim's computer, it causes popups to appear which lead the user to believe her machine is infected, and that the only means of removing the viruses is through purchasing a license for its virus removal software. However, the warning and the software are a scam, and the only removal which is accomplished is the removal of money from a victim's credit card or bank account.
Removing Viruses from Infected Computers
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In removing viruses from infected computers, it is necessary to download any repair programs ahead of time, and print out any instructions. It may be necessary to download the repair software from another computer if the infected computer blocks the download from being completed.Once the repair program and instructions have been obtained, the computer must be disconnected from the Internet.
It is advisable to turn off the System Restore function until the removal process is complete to avoid reinfecting the computer. It may be necesary to repair the computer registry or to run the repair program with the computer in Safe Mode. Once the repair process is complete, a full scan should be done on the computer and all antivirus definitions should be updated before the computer is reconnected to the Internet.
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