From Microsoft:

MRT.exe – All PCs running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 should have Microsoft’s Malware Removal Tool (MRT) installed. This program will update itself and run when you download critical updates from Microsoft. Search for it on your hard drive. If you don’t have it, you can find it here.

MBSA – Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer will scan your PC to make sure that you have all of the critical security measures in place. Improve your security management process by using MBSA to detect common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on your computer. Download it here.

Third-Party tools:

MBAM – Malwarebytes Anti-Malware tool is excellent for removing various types of malware from your computer. You can use it for free, even without registering it, but of course the authors would like you to register and purchase it. Download it here.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector will analyze your PC for vulnerabilities and make recommendations on how to protect your PC. Download it here.

Spybot and Ad-Aware are both designed to find and remove spyware on your computer. This includes tracking cookies as well as malware that records keystrokes and/or takes screen shots of your computer in an effort to capture your personal information.

StopBadware.org is a partnership among academic institutions, technology industry leaders, and volunteers, all of whom are committed to protecting Internet and computer users from the threats to privacy and security that are caused by bad software. Visit their site!

Remember that new viruses and malware come out all the time, so it is important to keep these programs up to date and scan your PC regularly.

Of course you should also be running some kind of anti-virus software. The main difference between anti-virus software and the others is that only anti-virus software can actively check your system.

HTH!

This article copyright © John Nasta 2009 – All Rights Reserved

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