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virus?

how do i permantly remove W32/Sality.Y - Malware from my computer and prevent it from returning. operating system windows xp home edition
maris, March 2010
what do you recommend?

maris, March 2010
You can't make a virus go away and be sure it'll never come back. You can remove it from the computer but not inoculate yourself against it.

What you can do:

Set the default action for ANY inserted media to: Scan with your anti-virus application.

Scan any and all removable medias you have. They can contain a copy of the virus that can reinfect your computer, and others, upon connection.
Even a brand new media, just out of it's packaging can be infected...
If it's a CD, destroy that CD once you have recovered any importent file from it.

Be prudent when surfing.

NEVER EVER install anything you just downloaded. Wait a few days to a week or two, and scan any downloaded file for any infection. It greatly help against new virus, it gives you the time to receive the signature for the new baddy and eradicate it.

Scan your computer with a real and good anti-virus. There are many fake ones that don't remove anything, but do infect your computer.

Make sure that you have a functional fieewall active at all times. It's doubly importent for any portable.

In some cases, and I beleive it's the case of your virus, the virus inject itself into your restore points. If that's the case, you MUST clear your restore points. Once it's done, and the computer is clean, set a new restore point.

Double check all your downloaded applications. Make sure that none tries to get a new copy of the virus.

Do you have a portable? Run as gues anytime you are not a home or a known safe and reputable location. Run as ordinary user unless you want to install a new application. Install a strong firewall.

If you have a wireless network, NEVER disable beckoning. Disabling the beackon forces all your computer to broadcast it's identifier, network name and lots of informations, possibly including password, every few seconds.

Kualinar, March 2010
yes but it comes back

maris, March 2010
Have you tried a scan running with your anti-virus software?

T, March 2010