Malicious Software Removal Tool [MS monthly release]

Microsoft ^ | February 8, 2005

[TomGuy]

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed.

[TomGuy]

Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month. New versions will be made available through this Web page, Windows Update, and the Microsoft Download Center.

[general_re]

It would be nice if Windows was, in its default configuration, a Malicious Software Prevention Tool. You can certainly lock it down pretty successfully, but if the defaults tended to be a bit more sane, we wouldn't have nearly so much of a need for this kind of thing.

[IamConservative]

The new AntiSpyware tool from Microsoft is pretty good as well.

[Izzy Dunne]

I ran this on my Mac, and the Windows box next to it suddenly stopped working: "Could not find file: Windows.exe".

;->

[freekitty]

Wonder if this is what is slowing my computer down?

[IamConservative]

"Wonder if this is what is slowing my computer down?"

I would be willing to bet spyware is at least part of your problem if you are not running a Spyware program. The downlaod from Microsoft is free if you have broadband. If you do not, find a friend that does and have them make you a CD. The Microsoft tool will also (attempt) to block further infections.

[JustDoItAlways]

I got hit with a malware virus this weekend and even Norton didn't stop it and ad-aware couldn't remove it. And all I did was click on a link I got through Google. The damn virus just loaded right from the website all on its own right through Norton.

Spent a few hours finding all the pieces of it and I can guarantee you I didn't get all of it.

Microsoft's malware detection tool linked above did not find it.

One thing I found out when researching what to do which stops many of these malware viruses is to check OFF in Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, Enable third party browser extensions.

The speed with which this thing got me and took over my system with no prompting from me at all means we will see more of these viruses in the future which exploit a hole Microsoft left in Explorer.

[Mad Mammoth]

I ran this on my Mac, and the Windows box next to it suddenly stopped working: "Could not find file: Windows.exe".

That didn't take long.

[general_re]

If you haven't already, you should consider a browser that's less susceptible to that kind of drive-by spyware install.

[T. Jefferson]

Wonder if this is what is slowing my computer down?

Switch to Firefox. You're computer is being used as a remote host to send out spam email.

[AaronInCarolina]

Be aware that the Malicious Program Removal tool is one that downloads from Microsoft, runs, then removes itself completely from your system. When I first downloaded it, I looked for it and couldn't find it anywhere on my system. So I investigated it at microsoft.com and discovered that they don't normally let it stay on your system. They have designed it to download automatically once a month, run automatically, then be removed. However, if you want to have a persistent copy of the program on your system to run whenever you want, there is a way to manually download and install it and run it whenever you want.

Also, don't confuse this tool with the Microsoft Anti-Spyware Program, which is a beta version of a future commercial offering. It is available now for free in it's beta form, but eventually they will want you to buy it.

[Drango]

LOL...doesn't work with my firefox browser.

[marty60]

Thanks for a great link. Sure helped.