How to Fix a Trojan
Trojans are dangerous programs that install on your computer posing as legitimate programs. Ironically, they often present themselves as anti-spyware programs and other security tools. They download additional parasites and cause a variety of problems, such as browser errors and startup slowdowns. It is important to understand the safest ways to remove them from your computer without damaging system files.
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Instructions
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Back up your system. Click the Windows "Start" button and select "All Programs." Scroll up and select "Accessories." Select "System Tools" and click "System Restore." This launches the backup utility.
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Click the "Create a new restore point" radio button and click "Next." Type a name for the restore point and click "Create." Come back to this restore point in case you make a mistake during the Trojan removal process.
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Shut down all currently running programs and launch your anti-virus program. Update it with the latest virus and spyware definitions. Close the program when the update is complete. (If you don't have an anti-virus program, you can download a free utility such as AVG or Avast. See the links in Resources.)
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Restart your computer and press and hold "F8" before Windows boots up. You should see the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
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Scroll down and select "Safe Mode." Press "Enter" to start Windows in Safe Mode. This mode is used for repairing computer problems and removing malicious programs such as Trojans because it disables the network and prevents them from updating themselves.
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Launch your anti-virus program and run a full system scan. Full system scans perform deep scans for Trojan files downloaded to system folders and the registry.
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Delete detected Trojan files when the scan is complete. Close the anti-virus program.
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Remove leftover Trojan entries from the registry if you know what they are. To do so, click the Windows "Start" button and click "Run" or "Start Search" (Vista). Type "regedit" (without the quotes) and press "Enter" to open the registry.
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Click the "+" buttons on the left panel to select the folder containing the Trojan entries. Right-click the Trojan files on the right panel of the opened folder and click "Delete" to remove them. Close the registry.
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Remove leftover files if you know what they are. Do this by clicking the Windows "Start" button. Click "Search" and click "All Files and Folders" to open the search window.
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Click "More Advanced Options" and place a check on all the options to increase the chances of finding malicious Trojan files. Type the name of the Trojan file you are looking for and delete it once it has been located. Perform the same procedure to remove additional Trojan files. Close the search window when you are done.
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Empty the Recycle Bin and restart your computer normally to complete the removal process.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not make changes to the registry if you are not sure how to do so, because you risk doing further damage. Contact your computer manufacturer if you are still having problems.
