Clean from scratch

[agibsonsw]

Hello.
I have an infected computer and need some guidance please.

Windows Protection ran and detected a number of threats. But to remove the threats I was
requested to register. But, of course, I couldn't register because I couldn't go online (using my
dongle). So I had no choice for the moment but to shutdown the computer.

Is there (free) software I can install onto a USB pen that would help me? When I switch on the computer
is there a key I need to hold to, maybe, get into Safe Mode, or something similar?

Thanks in advance, Andy.

[HansV]

Register what? "Windows Protection" sounds like one of those fake security programs...

[agibsonsw]

Hello. I was slightly suspicious of this. But if it's a fake it's very convincing - taking ages to perform
it's scan.
But I still need to clean my computer Andy.

[Rui]

You could try to boot in safe mode with network, which will allow you to download Malware bytes anti-malware, which should be enough to get you rid of that.

[HansV]

In addition, you could try ClamWin Portable. It can be downloaded to another computer, then copied to a USB drive.

[agibsonsw]

Hello, and thanks both.

Someone recommended SUPERAntiSpyware as well. I think I'll run them all, one after another!

[Rui]

In spite of the name, which always made me suspicious, SuperAntiSPyware is very good, too. There is no harm in using them all .

[agibsonsw]

SUPERAntiSpyware found a load of cookies/ trackers but then Malware Bytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) found a few more significant threats. I'll update the MBAM database (it was 20 days out of date) and then run a full scan.

The ClamWin tool was more of a pain. It insisted I update the database but I couldn't because I couldn't connect to the internet. I tried installing it onto my pen first, but this didn't help. Maybe I missed something(?) but it doesn't look like it's a portable as it suggests. Anyway, I'm running it now and we'll see what it comes up with.

Maybe someone has another suggestion for a portable solution? MBAM always seems to work best but not being portable could be a handicap at some point.

Thanks for the help, Andy.