How do I clean up my parents computer?

[LukeLovesSecurity]

It's been a while I checked up on my parents computer, and when I did I was horrified. They had absolutely no security and had tons of stuff. I immediately got them on a Emsisoft trial and will buy them Emsisoft IS when it runs out. I used ccleaner to clean up some junk, and Emsisoft surprisingly didn't detect any malware. However their computer is full of software they don't use and looks fishy, is there any application to deal with this? Or will I have to spend a day restoring their computer?

 

[roger_m]

Running AdwCleaner, and cleaning everything it finds would be a good starting point. Also I would recommend scanning with Malwarebytes, Zemana and HitmanPro. Make sure you use the download link for the free version of Zemana, about halfway down the page, as otherwise you will get the trial of the paid version.

 

[GonzitoVir]

Running AdwCleaner, and cleaning everything it finds would be a good starting point. Also I would recommend scanning with Malwarebytes, Zemana and HitmanPro. Make sure you use the download link for the free version of Zemana, about halfway down the page, as otherwise you will get the trial of the paid version.

If Zemana finds something it would be good to buy a license. It's not expensive and for me has worked very well.

 

[LASER_oneXM]

To completely get rid of the old/risky system/software: format all drives and completely reinstall windows and all programms.
I guess its the best and the fastest way to remove all risky settings and risky software from an unknown PC... reinstall everything from scratch... ...then you are absolutely sure that only safe software (and safe OS/software settings) are running on their PC....

 

[Parsh]

@LukeLovesSecurity since you're planning to keep the PC protected now onwards, you can for once reinstall Windows via a USB media (prefer not to use the default reset option) to begin clean.
If not, you can follow @roger_m's advice. Since you're not doing a Windows format, scanning via a Rescue disc (Bitdefender, Dr. Web) is also a nice option to Remove threats that might be not get detected when the system is live.
There are many Zemana giveaways around and you need not buy for now. You can enable Pandora technology in its settings if you're keeping it for real-time protection.

 

[NikolayfromRussia]

If Zemana finds something it would be good to buy a license. It's not expensive and for me has worked very well.

He doesn't need buy Zemana as there is Zemana antimalware giveaway

Unlimited Giveaway - Zemana AntiMalware Premium - 380 days

They run giveaways almost every 3 months so this product becomes free now

 

[monkeylove]

In my case, I used programs like Geek Uninstaller to uninstall software that aren't needed.

 

[LASER_oneXM]

...the guys from bleepingcomputer.com are frequently checking PCs (using special tools)for possible infections/volnerabilities in this forum:
Am I infected? What do I do? Forum - BleepingComputer.com

so maybe it could be useful to post your problem there even if you are sure (after a AV-scan) that the your pc isnt infected.....

 

[budda]

Install zemana and hitman pro and scan your system. Most of them are PUP's which can be uninstalled easily.
You can also use eset online scanner or install kaspersky free

 

[AlanOstaszewski]

I would go with a complete reinstall. It is the best and safest way to remove all the created registry entrys by ad-ware and other stuff.

 

[LASER_oneXM]

....maybe it could also be useful to check how many programs are safe/up to date. Here are some posts with software updaters/Software Update Monitoring Tools: POST #04 , POST #03, POST #02.

 

[GonzitoVir]

He doesn't need buy Zemana as there is Zemana antimalware giveaway

Unlimited Giveaway - Zemana AntiMalware Premium - 380 days

They run giveaways almost every 3 months so this product becomes free now

Yeah! I forgot to write "Antilogger". Zemana Antilogger has more features than Antimalware alone

 

[NikolayfromRussia]

Yeah! I forgot to write "Antilogger". Zemana Antilogger has more features than Antimalware alone

As I remember they offered Zemana Antilogger lifetime license last year. It was very easy to get just subscribing with gmail or smth like this. I could get 3 licenses and shared with my friends. Personally I don't use Zemana. Hitman Pro installed on my PC. Twice a week I perform a scan... The most important thing on my PC is webmoney agent (it is a Russina e-money) by which I can pay/receive money online. That's why I installed Hitman Pro to detect malwares and other malicious. Beside this I enabled sms confirmation for webmoney transaction. Even if somebody steals login/password he won't be able to use it untill sms confirmation enabled

 

[Atlas147]

I think you seem well versed enough to decide which softwares are useless and which they might need, so you can start uninstalling the rubbish software first to speed up the system.

Definitely run CCleaner after that to clear any temp files left behind and make sure that they are uninstalled fully by going to program files and looking for the names of the uninstalled software and delete them manually.

If emsisoft says that there is not malware then likely there isn't any real threat from the software that was installed.

Also I would recommend a AV that doesn't need user decision as much as emsisoft, from what I can tell it seems that most of emsisoft's protection is user decision based and your parents aren't the best judge of software so it might hinder their protection.

A good AV would be Avast, because there is basically no interaction, if a threat is detected it is immediately quarantined no questions asked.

You might want to scan their computer with other 2nd opinion scanners like zemana, malwarebytes and hitmanpro to make sure that there are no threats or adware remaining.

 

[Fritz]

I would go with a complete reinstall. It is the best and safest way to remove all the created registry entrys by ad-ware and other stuff.

This.

 

[Node]

Here is a great place to start: How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm and Malware (Windows Help Guide)