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Best Free Trojan Scanner and Remover
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Other Language?
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In a Hurry?
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Introduction
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Malware, trojans and threats Most PCs are now connected to the Internet and networks, making easier the spread of malicious software (malware), which includes trojans (also known as trojan horses), viruses, worms, spyware, adware, rootkits and other malicious or unwanted programs. Like spyware and adware, trojans can get onto your computer in a number of ways, including from a web browser, via e-mail, or in a bundle with other software downloaded from the Internet. You may also inadvertently transfer malware via a USB flash drive or other portable media. It is possible that you could be forced to reformat your USB flash drive or other portable device in order to eliminate the infection and avoid transferring it to other machines. (After all, you don't want to be the one who infected your network at work because you were bringing in some music to listen to.) Unlike viruses or worms, trojans do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. On the surface, trojans appear benign and harmless, but once the infected code is run, trojans kick in and perform malicious functions to harm the computer system without the user's knowledge. For example, waterfalls.scr is a waterfall screen saver as originally claimed by the author, but it can be associated with malware and become a trojan to unload hidden programs and allow unauthorized access to the user's PC. Some typical examples of threats by trojans are as follows:
To minimise the threats, most PC users will need an effective anti-malware program to remove trojans along with other malware. Anti-malware and anti-trojan programs As more computer security developers are extending their product capabilities to address more than one type of malware, the boundary between different types of anti-malware programs is no longer clear-cut and has become blurred. For example, an anti-virus program such as AVG Anti-Virus covers not only viruses, but offers protection against spyware, adware and others. An anti-spyware program such as SuperAntiSpyware not only detects spyware, but removes trojans, rootkits and other threats. Likewise an anti-trojan program can offer to remove viruses, spyware and other types of malware. More appropriately, these security products are to be classified as anti-malware programs rather than to be grouped by the name of the products. In this respect, anti-malware products which are designed to detect and remove trojans more effectively than the others will be reviewed in this category. How many anti-malware programs do I need to install?
Disclaimer Despite their ratings in this review, some anti-malware programs in certain cases are able to detect more malware than the others depending on their designs, online databases and the infections on computers. |
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Discussion
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Other Related Products
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These are a number of other free trojan scanners and removers which were brought up in comments here or noted from other sources. As they are not rated in this review, I am listing them here with brief descriptions and links to their sites for ease of reference.
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Have Your Say
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You are invited to share and discuss your views in our freeware forum. To post in the forum you need to register first but that's quick and pain free! Alternatively, anyone can leave a comment at the bottom of this page. NB We would be most grateful if you can keep your comments short and concise.
Please help us by rating this review
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NB 14-day trial of the PRO version is now available.
This is optional to all users and can be found under the Protection tab.
NB Version 4.1 is compatible with Windows 2000 SP4
*Version 4.7.0.53 is now available here: www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php
Make sure you scroll down to post #2 and click on the link.
NB Version 4.24 is compatible with Windows 98, 98SE, and ME
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Tags
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anti-malware, anti-trojan, anti-virus, anti-spyware, adware, remover, scanner, freeware, free trojan scanner, free trojan remover, zero-day |
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Comments
Thank you guys! I had two trojans on my computer, I read your recommendations and downloaded Malwarebytes and AVG free version, witch deleted the trojans very fast and easily!
Glad to hear you had a +ve outcome!
I just downloaded Emsisoft's Anti-Malware, and I'm pretty disappointed. The program is only free for 30 days, then it only allows scans. You state in the review that they still allow scans and removals but no extra protection. I won't be able to tell until the 30 days are up, but I'm more inclined to believe Emsisoft. I've seen several times on this site before how you won't even allow people to mention a paid product (like Revo 64bit). Is Emsisoft wrong about how their own product trial works? Do they still allow scanning AND removals after 30 days?
My discussion on EAM includes the direct, explanatory quote from Emsisoft (Midnight Cowboy also uses this quote in his earlier reply).
No further correspondence on this matter will be entered into.
This information is on their site:
"When downloading, you'll get the full version including all protection features for 30+3 days for free. Afterwards the unpaid software switches to a limited freeware scanner mode that allows you to scan and clean your PC whenever you want, but does not include the protection features against new infections".
thank
Thank you
Emsisoft Anti-Malware told me I had 125 fps, most of which were in games downloaded from steam. It also pestered me with a popup for every website I visit (cnet). Honestly, we're jumping at shadows here.
I can not download the emsisoft antimalware windows says there is no valid digital singnature
In IE go to Tools>Internet Options>Advanced Tab. Then scroll down to the Security section. Remove the ticked 'Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid'. Click OK and then try downloading the software again.
NB Running a file without a valid digital signature can harm your PC so make sure you have downloaded from a trusted website in the first instance.
Good luck!
thank you
What OS do you have installed on your PC?
windows xp
Note to gamers.
The driver disc that comes with the controller contains Trojans.
I now have two trojans from just inserting the run disc which has upset me greatly.
And i also have another two from a recent expansion of Hero's of might and magic 5 collectors edition which i did purchase new from a store.
i dont understand what these things are completely but i have only recieved them from products i have bought which is a worry to me. please send me a suggestion on how to rid these nasty's from my brand new laptop.
it would be greatly appreciated.
dave.
NB Mention of commercial product removed.
Never run a disc or any executable file on your PC without first scanning with a good anti-malware product. Another option is to upload a file to VirusTotal, Comodo, Anubis or Metascan to get further opinions on the safety of running it on your system.
However, as you already know you have trojans present, then you can simply place them in quarantine with whatever product discovered them in the first place. If for some reason this is not possible please use the excellent guide for malware removal here:
http://www.selectrealsecurity.com/
Although not related to this issue, it might also be worth pointing out that CD software compilations given away "free" with magazines often contain trojans. Even though you might recognize the individual programs, they are often re-compiled with extras including unwanted toolbars and even downright malware. Conditions vary according to the countries where the publications are sold but somewhere like I live (Brazil) is infested with these things whereas when I was in the UK they were practically non existent because of the stringent consumer protection laws.
Doesn't Symantec/Norton have a free app similar to the free TDSSKiller from Kaspersky? If so can someone provide the link? I cannot find it. Thanks
It's called FixTDSS
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2010-090608-...
The only freeware product that Norton has is an online scanner called FREE PC Checkup:
http://us.norton.com/nortonlive/free-pc-checkup.jsp
Hope this helps.
Imho, this category and the "best free adware remover" should become one under
"Best on demand scanner"
I second this...
What happened to you man? Weren't you supposed to be the editor of the "Best free adware remover"?
I take your point but totally disagree. 'Best on demand scanner' would not take into consideration any software that was offering real-time protection such as Threatfire.
Also, the BF Adware-Spyware-Scum Remover, as the title suggests, is aimed more at spyware and although there is overlapping with regards to various security products detecting similar malware, I believe it is a good thing to have more than one opinion on the aforementioned.
To quote the Al Murray character The Pub Landlord: 'My gaff, my rules'! ;-)
Threatfire is already in the HIPS category where it belongs, it's a behaviour blocker against zero day malware, not only trojans. And afaik nobody uses it as a remover.
Today AVs with their ability to detect all kinds of malware and not only viruses, have made the real time antispyware-antitrojan-antiwhatever applications redudant (and they aren't many anyway)
As for the Al Murray guy... sorry, never heard of him
Great info. Its a great help for this facts. It better to know earlier what are the symptoms if your PC is infected with Trojan and malware. Nice post, awesome site, I will bookmarked it for my reference.
A strange thing happened today. Avira Antivirus (free) popped up saying the SuperAntispyware executable contained a trojan. Had to re-download the latter after it quarantined it. Am thinking about replacing Avira - more trouble than it's worth !!
@Rigsby,
If you have downloaded SAS from their website then Avira is probably showing the SAS exe as a false +ve. Send the suspect as an email attachment to: virus-personal@avira.com for analysis.
Thanks for a great article, that made for some very interesting reading.
Does anyone know or can recommend what they find to be the best configuration of programs to run on an XP SP 3 system?
I currently have the following running at all times: Online Armour, Avira, WinPatrol Pro, KeyScrambler and Sticky Password. The last two are obviously used to try and hinder any infections that may occur.
As well as the above mentioned, I also have SuperAntiSpyware, JottiQ, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot - Search & Destroy installed, but I only run these from time to time, in order to "double check" for anything that might have slipped through onto my system.
I know some will think all of these are perhaps over-kill, but I and the rest of my family..including the kids..use the PC in question for everything, both online and off.
OK..my apologies for taking so long and writing so much here. Thanks for reading and my thanks in advance once again for any replies, advice or feedback anyone cares to post.
Regards
Dan
NB This article has been edited due its excessive length!
I would suggest you focus more on prevention rather than detection and removal. To this end it might be worth your while trying something like BufferZone or Sandboxie, with BufferZone possibly being the better option for a machine with multiple users. I use Sandboxie for browser and email client isolation and also for testing any applications i download, and so far my machine has not been infected once:)
The only downside of using something like BufferZone is that you might have to teach your kids to use it, but it's not a steep learning curve and the level of protection you would gain is worth it imo.
Thanks for the suggestion, Garth..very much appreciated!
I did try Sandboxie before but, even though it was a great little program, I didn't really get if the files I had downloaded were actually on my drive or lost when I went out of the sandbox.
I know that might make me sound a little dumb, but I guess I didn't play around enough with it to understand how to get the best out of it. Having read your reply, I might just give it a second whirl and see how it goes for me.
Thanks again..
Solaris
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