What's a good strategy for using System Restore?

[deanbrown3d]

I just spent 2 days eliminating a nasy set of viruses. I don't want to
do that again.

We use PC-Cillin AV at work, which I have just updated.

I want to be able to restore my computer as of 'yesterday' should this
happen again.

First of all, is this the right tool to be using? We have all software
and development code backed up all the time. The only thing I care
about are my OS getting a huge virus or hijack.

Does System Restore restore all software or just OS -related software?

And do people here do periodic manual back-ups or just let it do it for
you?

Thanks for any tips!

Dean

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

System Restore is very often the target of virus', trojans et al.. I would
not advise using it to recover from virus and malware infestations..

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Dean,

< inline >

I just spent 2 days eliminating a nasy set of viruses. I don't want to
do that again.

We use PC-Cillin AV at work, which I have just updated.

If you are receiving while PC-Cillin is up to date and running, I would
suggest getting another antivirus program.
Here are my recommendations.
Virus and Spyware removal and prevention:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/spyware.html

I want to be able to restore my computer as of 'yesterday' should this
happen again.

System Restore was not designed as a virus removal tool, and should not
be depended on to do so. Virus/malware prevention is the best policy.

First of all, is this the right tool to be using? We have all software
and development code backed up all the time. The only thing I care
about are my OS getting a huge virus or hijack.

See above.

Does System Restore restore all software or just OS -related software?

See - Description of System Restore.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/description.html

And do people here do periodic manual back-ups or just let it do it
for you?

Personally, I back up data and image files to another computer via a
network and from time to time burn them to a CD or DVD.