Channel Strategies for the CIODon't totally rely on Google or your favorite search engine to find specifics on how to clean up your system. Check vendor sites directly. I've had to browse antivirus and antispyware sites (Symantec, Trend Micro, Sophos, and others) to find the right answers many times over. Symantec's Security Response site
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and CA's Spyware Encyclopedia site both contain a lot of good information. Also, check Google Groups postings as well as they often contain a wealth of information from other users that you can't find anywhere else.
Remove malware step-by-step
Introduction
Step 1: Use several tools
Step 2: Try free tools
Step 3: Check obvious places
Step 4: Dig deeper
Step 5: Unload infected software
Step 6: Disable system restore, reboot in safe mode
Step 7: Check for software corruption or hardware problem
Step 8: Don't rely solely on a search engine
Step 9: Check for vendor-specific removal tools
Step 10: Hash suspect files
Step 11: When in doubt, reload
Step 12: Create a formal security incident response plan
About the author
Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, author, and speaker with Atlanta-based Principle Logic, LLC. He has more than 18 years of experience in IT and specializes in performing information security assessments. Kevin has written five books including Hacking For Dummies (Wiley), Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies, and The Practical Guide to HIPAA Privacy and Security Compliance (Auerbach). He can be reached at kbeaver @ principlelogic.com.
This tip originally appeared on SearchWindowsSecurity.com.
This was first published in February 2007