mercoledì 27 aprile 2011

Getting rid of Windows viruses using a (Linux) Live CD

This is a very simple guide on how to fix your Windows partition if you can't access it due to virii (or because a virus is blocking you from browsing antivirus websites or updating your definitions).
It might also happen that the virus (for example TDSS) installs itself as a rootkit in the hard drive's boot sector. I've seen this in a few friends' PCs. If this is the case, it might be VERY difficult to get rid of the virus while running windows from that particular computer.

The solution? Running a Live CD of another OS to wipe your hard drive clean of virii.

My first suggestion would be going full open-source and fully functional OS. So, Ubuntu (probably THE most hardware-friendly OS out there) and ClamAV with the latest definitions (that could be updated while running the live OS). You can download the latest Ubuntu CD and then boot it, download ClamAV and then run it, but I'll give you simpler solutions.

Step 1) Download the ClamAV live CD This is a very useful set of tools that include a Windows password removal tool and testdisk.
Step 2) If you're planning on booting from a usb-stick (pen drive) and not from a CD, get UNetbootin too.
Step 3) Put in the Live CD or pen drive and boot it! ClamAV is a very good antivirus at removing infections without deleting files.

If that din't solve it, you can try running the Kaspersky Rescue CD (also works with UNetbootin) which is old, but very good nonetheless.

An honorable mention goes to "Trinity Rescue Kit" that also has lots of tools and antivirus applications to fix your virus-ridden PC.

38 commenti:

  1. Wow, this is pretty damn helpful.
    Thanks man

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  2. Interesting, I'll keep it in mind in case I need to clean up a PC in the future.

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  3. This is really useful, I will try this on my parent's computer when I move back home in a few days, they are always complaining about viruses.

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  4. thanks man, might need this someday

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  5. thanks i really need this because a friend of mine has some kind of virus :)
    thanks thanks thanks

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  6. Thanks for the tips man. Nice post.

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  7. this seems a lot easier than reformatting

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  8. Interesting, I'll keep that in mind!

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  9. I'll make sure to remember this. Never had problem with viruses before, but you never know...

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  10. Awesome tool for an extreme emergency. I like malwarebytes and spybot for regular virus removal, but will definitely remember this method. Followed

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  11. wish i knew about this trick when my windows xp crashed...

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  12. Great tips, I just run my windows machines through a ubuntu box these days. Got fed up with having to run anti vir updates, trouble shooting the incompatibilities with different programs...

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  13. Ubuntu. Hmm I never knew this. Good info! Gonna check it out. And being able to update the anti virus on one OS to another is certainly awesome.

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  14. Very helpful tips, is there anything Linux can't do?

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  15. Thanks for this it looks very usefull. Great post n Ill be back.

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  16. The best way to get rid off windows specific viruses is to get rid off windows. ;)

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  17. I really need to learn more about this, everyone who gets on my comp seems to always get a virus on it D:

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  18. Slick! I really should learn more about this...

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  19. the power of linux strikes again!

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  20. That's a clever trick. Did you figure it out yourself?

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  21. this works great, i can attest to it. just be prepared to know something about the linux utilities you will need, and not be horrible in linux like i am

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  22. I agree. Linux is great but Microsoft already got out a decent free anti virus program. Microsoft Security essentials

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  23. This is an awesome method.

    Definitely an interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

    Keep 'em coming as always :)

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  24. That's an interesting article, thanks!

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