From Lunarsoft Wiki

Welcome to the new PC Maintenance page!

The PC Maintenance page has been converted into a wiki for faster, easier updates. Therefore should there ever be any changes to the programs recommended this page can be updated much faster than before. Also, since the PC Maintenance page is now a wiki version, pages should load faster and images can be loaded separately. When a machine needs to be repaired and is infested with malware, pages do not always load quickly. This is always kept in mind when creating these kind of pages so that even dial-up users may load these pages with ease.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Lunarsoft (This includes the members, staff, moderators, administrators and affiliates. Referred to from here on as Lunarsoft) is in no way, shape, or form affiliated with these applications. By viewing this page and/or downloading any files, you agree that Lunarsoft is in no way legally responsible for damage to your computer software or hardware. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the covered code is with you. Should any applications, software or other items prove defective in any respect, you (Not the initial developer or any other contributor) assume the cost of any necessary servicing, repair, or correction. By seeking the assistance of Lunarsoft you hereby waive any possible means of legal action or otherwise.

Recommended Software

This is very highly recommended software for all users. Many of these programs will help prevent and even protect from malware infections.

Title & Homepage	Version	Size	Type	Download
Mozilla Firefox	3.0	7.8 MB	Browser	Download
Mozilla Thunderbird	2.0.0.14	6.4 MB	E-Mail Client	Download
Avast! Home Edition	4.8	18.97 MB	Anti-Virus	Download
Comodo Firewall Pro	3.0	20.0 MB	Firewall	Download

Online Virus Scanners

While having a virus scanner on your computer is a plus, you should still scan with one of the scanners below. You may have an infection that your current anti-virus has missed. Below is a list of free online virus scanners to help simplify this process for you.

Title	Supported Browser(s)	Supported Operating System(s)	Status	Link
Trend Micro Housecall 6.6	Internet Explorer 6+ Mozilla Firefox 1.5+	Windows 2000 SP4 Windows XP SP2 Windows Vista	Pre-Release	Scan Now
Trend Micro Housecall 6.5	Internet Explorer 6+ Mozilla Firefox 1.0.5+	Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT4.0 SP6a Windows 2000 SP2, Windows XP SP1 Windows 2003, Windows MCE 2005	Stable	Scan Now
Kaspersky	Internet Explorer 6+ Only	None Listed	Stable	Scan Now
ewido Online Scan	Internet Explorer 6+ Only	None Listed	Stable	Scan Now

Installation Order

This process has been found to be the very best in eliminating and terminating infections. This process will also help to prevent infections from spreading as the infections are removed. You will also want to update each programs definitions/database if updates are available.

1. Install SpywareBlaster.
2. Install CCleaner.
3. Install RogueRemover Free.
4. Install Windows Defender.
5. Install Ad-Aware SE Personal.
6. Install Spybot S&D.

Order of Operations

By following the directions listed below, you increase your chances for a fast reply on getting your HijackThis log and your computer cleaned.

Please follow these directions:

1. Boot your computer into Safe Mode by pressing F8 before the Windows logo screen on bootup.
2. Run SpywareBlaster.
3. Run CCleaner.
4. Run CWShredder.
5. Run AboutBuster.
6. Scan for viruses with the Recommended Software and Online Virus Scanners.
7. Run RogueRemover Free.
8. Run Windows Defender.
9. Run Ad-Aware SE Personal.
10. Run Spybot S&D.
    At this point you should reboot your computer and run HijackThis to post a log on our forums.
    
11. Run HijackThis.
12. Run Windows Update.

Unable to run Windows Update? Fix most common errors with DjLizard's Dial-a-fix!

Cleaning & Settings

This section will describe how to update the recommended applications and allow you to configure each program with the best settings for malware removal.

SpywareBlaster

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed. It will also stop malware from communicating with its host server. This helps to stop popups and malware from functioning and further spreading the infections.

Update Instructions:

1. Under “Quick Tasks” click “Download Latest Protection Updates”.
2. Click the “Check for Updates” button.

Activation:

1. After updating, click “Protection” near the top.
2. Under “Quick Tasks” click “Enable All Protection” and you're finished with SpywareBlaster.

Need further assistance? Refer to the SpywareBlaster screenshots.

CCleaner

CCleaner helps to clean more than just junk files in your computer. It can also help to clean out and remove malware from your %TEMP% folders and other common temporary directories where malware can reside.

Scan Settings:

1. Select the “Windows” tab and check every option.
2. Select the “Applications” tab and check every option.
3. Click the “Run Cleaner” button.

The following items should not be checked.

• “Memory Dumps”
• “Windows Log Files”
• “Old Prefetch Data”
• “Hotfix Uninstallers”

The Memory Dumps cleaning option will remove any memory dumps that are generated when a program crashes on your computer. Many technicians can use these memory dumps to tell you exactly what caused the crash. These memory dumps are also sent to a crash analysis center at Microsoft when you use the Error Reporting feature. Reporting these errors and sending the crash dumps help all users because hotfixes are often issued to fix the very problem that made the program crash.

The Windows Log Files cleaning option will also remove another memory dump file called user.dmp that is generally placed in %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson\. This is also useful for technicians to help diagnose errors that cause programs to crash, similar to the Memory Dumps above. In addition, this cleaning option will also remove log files from both program installations and Windows Updates. A user or technician can refer to these generated logs to determine the source of the installation problem if a problem occurs.

The Old Prefetch Data cleaning option will decrease your system performance. The impact that cleaning/deleting the prefetch data has on your system is well documented by technicians and Microsoft staff. Prefetch is designed to allow your applications to load faster.

The Hotfix Uninstallers cleaning option will remove every hotfix uninstaller. This is a bad option for CCleaner to have. If you have this option checked and you remove your hotfix uninstallers, should you ever have an issue with an update (hotfix) from Microsoft, you would not be able to uninstall the problematic hotfix. This could potentially result in your system being crippled.

Unchecking the above options will ensure your computer remains in proper working order and have better performance.

Note: The first run can take several minutes. You may wish to uncheck some options if CCleaner takes longer than five minutes.

Advanced users only:

This section deals with changes to your computer's registry. If you do not feel comfortable making changes to your registry then skip this section. It is recommended that you create a folder named “Backups” in your CCleaner folder inside the Program Files directory and save your registry backups there.

1. Click the “Issues” button and check every option.
2. Click the “Scan For Issues” button.
3. Click the “Fix selected issues...” button.
4. Click “Yes” when asked to backup changes to the registry.
5. Save the backup for repairing these issues so you may find it easily when you need it in the future.

Need further assistance? Refer to the CCleaner screenshots.

CWShredder

CWShredder is used to find and remove traces of CoolWebSearch – the name for a wide range of insidious browser hijackers – from your PC.

Scan Settings:

1. Click “Fix ->”.
2. Close all browser windows that are open.
3. Click “OK” on the message box that tells you to close all open browser windows to ensure CWS is cleaned and removed.
4. After it scans through a report will be made, click “Next ->”.
   If any problems were found you may fix them now.
   
5. Click “Exit” when you are finished.

Need further assistance? Refer to the CWShredder screenshot.

AboutBuster

AboutBuster is a tool that scans for AboutBlank infections on your system. It will scan your Windows directory and other key directories for any infections.

Scanning:

1. Click “Begin Scan”.
2. Remove any malicious items found.

Need further assistance? Refer to the AboutBuster screenshot.

RogueRemover Free

RogueRemover is an excellent freeware scanning utility that quickly and efficiently scans your computer for know malicious rogue software.

Update Instructions:

1. Click “Check for updates” in the main program window. A new window will appear.
2. Click “Check for updates”.
3. If any new updates are found, click “Download”.
4. After updating, click “Close” to return to the main program window.

Scanning:

1. Click “Scan”.
2. Remove any malicious items found.

Need further assistance? Refer to the RogueRemover screenshots.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected and minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.

Update Instructions:

1. Click on the arrow beside the Help icon (It is a question mark inside a blue and white circle).
2. Click “Check for Updates”.

Scan Settings:

1. Click “Scan Options”. (This is the arrow beside “Scan Options”)
2. Select “Full system scan”.
3. Click “Scan Now” to begin scanning.

Need further assistance? Refer to the Windows Defender screenshots.

Ad-Aware SE Personal

Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.

Update Instructions:

If you have downloaded the Anti-Malware package then you can run InstallDefs.bat or follow the directions below to update Ad-Aware.

1. Click “Check for updates now”.
2. Click “Connect” and download the update.
3. Click “Finish” after the update has finished.

Scan Settings:

• Open Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06 and click on the “Configuration”. If you are unsure how to reach the “Configuration”, see the metal gear button image to the right.

All of the items mentioned below should be checked (green checkmark). If you cannot check them, simply skip them.

“General” settings:

• Automatically save log file.
• Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal.
• Safe mode (always request confirmation).
• Prompt to update outdated definitions.

“Scanning” settings:

• Scan within archives.
• Scan active processes.
• Scan registry.
• Deep-scan registry.
• Scan my IE Favorites for banned URLs.
• Scan my Hosts file.

“Advanced” settings:

• Include additional object information.
• Include negligible objects information.
• Include environment information.

“Default” settings:

• Click “Read current settings from system” or you can enter the following.

Default Homepage: “about:blank”

Default searchpage: “http://www.google.com” or “http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd=ie&ar=iesearch”

“Tweak - Scanning Engine” settings:

• Unload recognized processes & modules during scan.
• Obtain command line of scanned proesses.
• Run scan as background process (Low CPU usage).
• Scan registry for all users instead of current user only.

“Tweak - Cleaning Engine” settings:

• Always try to unload modules before deletion.
• During removal, unload Explorer and IE if necessary.
• Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot.
• Delete quarantined objects after restoring.

“Tweak - Safety Settings” settings:

• Reanalyze results after scanning before displaying results lists.

“Tweak - Log Files” settings:

• Include basic Ad-Aware settings in log file.
• Include additional Ad-Aware settings in log file.
• Include reference summary in log file.
• Create log file for removal operations.
• Include module list in log file.
• Include alternate data stream details in log file.

“Tweak - User Interface” settings:

• Limit drive selection to fixed drives.
• Use gridlines in results lists.
• Show detail tooltips in results lists.

“Tweak - Misc Settings” settings:

• No options should be checked. If anything is checked, then you should uncheck it.

Click Proceed to continue.

Scanning:

1. Click “Scan now” on the left side or “Start” in the lower right.
2. Select the option “Use custom scanning options” and make sure “Search for negligible risk entries” is checked.
3. Press “Next” to begin scanning.

Need further assistance? Refer to the Ad-Aware screenshots.

Spybot S&D

Spybot S&D searches your hard drive for so-called spy- or adbots; that is, little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs display. Many of these modules also transmit information, including your surfing behavior on the Internet. If it finds such modules, it can remove them. In most cases the host still runs fine after removing the spyware/adware.

Note: You do not need to run or activate TeaTimer. If you wish to have the extra protection you should use Windows Defender's Real Time Protection.

First time only:

1. Click “Mode” -> “Advanced”.
2. Click “Yes” on the message box that appears.
3. Click “Settings” -> “File Sets” -> Make sure everything is checked.

Update Instructions:

You can run spybotsd_includes.exe or follow the directions below to update Spybot S&D.

1. Click on the “Update” button.
2. Select all updates.
3. Select a server to download updates from. It is recommended that you use one close to where you live.
4. Click “Download Updates”.

Scan Settings:

1. Click “Immunize” and allow it to scan, then click “Apply”.
2. Click “Search & Destroy” and then click “Check for Problems”.

This will find any malware installed and also offer to clean your usage tracks (MRUs).

If you have your folders set in a special way then do not check Windows Explorer in the usage tracks reported.

Need further assistance? Refer to the Spybot S&D screenshots.

HijackThis

HijackThis is a free utility which quickly scans your Windows computer to find settings that may have been changed by spyware, malware or other unwanted programs. HijackThis creates a report, or log file, with the results of the scan.

Scan Settings:

1. Uncheck “Show this frame when I start HijackThis” at the bottom.
2. Click the “Scan” button.
3. Click the “Save log” button.
4. Name your log with your user name.

Example: If your username is User123, then you would save your log as User123-Hijack

Need further assistance? Refer to the HijackThis screenshot.

Conclusion

Haven't registered yet for the Lunarsoft website and forums? Then please register with us!

If you have registered with Lunarsoft already, please post your log on the HijackThis Logs forum.

After your computer has been given a clean bill of health, you should read the PC Security page for adding extra protection to your computer.

Good luck, Tarun - Lunarsoft