Windows Malicious Software Removal

[Guest]

For some reason, one of my PC's didn't automatically update Windows, so I
manually did it this monring, and notice one of them is for "Windows
Malicious Software Removal". After reading up on it, says in works in
background.

Prior to this, I had no idea this was even in my PC.

Now I got "Norton Internet Security" running that includes checking for
adware, spyware and what not.

On top of which, I got AOL running a spyware program on this pC. and on some
other PC's got the entire AOL safety and security suite running.

Do I really need all this stuff running on one PC???

And PC is slow, and takes forever to get up and running during bootup. I get
an annual subscription to Norton's, and I have to make a decision to renew in
another month or two.

I was thinking of keeping Norton's on some of my PC's that's got them. I
got 8 of them between my business and home, and it appears impossible to
remove Nortons once its software is in. But "long term", I want to have all
of my PC's on one platform, using the same software.

The questions are:

- Does the Microsoft Malicious Software removal perform tasks that Norton's
and AOL safety and security doesn't not do??

- Does a summary exist someone showing what each does??

- Advisable to removal one or two of them, keeping the third?? In that case,
which ones to remove, assuming I can remove it safely??

- Since ISP's offer safety and security packages as part of their services,
shouldn't I just go with what they offer. AOL offers AOL safety and security
powered by McAfee, and updated frequently. I read up on Earthlink and they
offere their packages.


Thanks.

 

[--Alias--]

For some reason, one of my PC's didn't automatically update Windows, so I
manually did it this monring, and notice one of them is for "Windows
Malicious Software Removal". After reading up on it, says in works in
background.

Prior to this, I had no idea this was even in my PC.

Now I got "Norton Internet Security" running that includes checking for
adware, spyware and what not.

On top of which, I got AOL running a spyware program on this pC. and on some
other PC's got the entire AOL safety and security suite running.

Do I really need all this stuff running on one PC???

You most certainly don't need *anything* AOL or Norton.

And PC is slow, and takes forever to get up and running during bootup. I get
an annual subscription to Norton's, and I have to make a decision to renew in
another month or two.

Don't do it. Unfortunately, to rid yourself of Norton, the only sure way
is to reformat.

I was thinking of keeping Norton's on some of my PC's that's got them. I
got 8 of them between my business and home, and it appears impossible to
remove Nortons once its software is in. But "long term", I want to have all
of my PC's on one platform, using the same software.

The questions are:

- Does the Microsoft Malicious Software removal perform tasks that Norton's
and AOL safety and security doesn't not do??

No, it just checks for common beasties and then uninstalls itself.

- Does a summary exist someone showing what each does??

- Advisable to removal one or two of them, keeping the third?? In that case,
which ones to remove, assuming I can remove it safely??

Get rid of AOL and Norton. Replace them with the free programs, Avast
(www.avast.com) for your anti virus and Zone Alarm (www.zonelabs.com)
for your firewall.

- Since ISP's offer safety and security packages as part of their services,
shouldn't I just go with what they offer. AOL offers AOL safety and security
powered by McAfee, and updated frequently. I read up on Earthlink and they
offere their packages.


Thanks.

NO, you shouldn't. In addition to Avast and Zone Alarm, download and
update the following:

AdAware (www.lavasoftusa.com)

Spybot, Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/),
SpywareGuard (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html)

and SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)
so that you can remove and protect against any spy ware/mal ware/ad ware
or scum ware from your computer that you might get while surfing the web.

Also, to clean up your computer, use Crap Cleaner (www.ccleaner.com).

ALL free.

Alias

 

[NewScience]

MRT.exe (Windows Malicious Software Removal), only runs in the background
when it is downloaded/updated (usually first Tuesday of the month). After
that, it does not run, unless you manually enter mrt.exe in Run.

 

[Guest]

Thanks. Agree with you on AOL and Nortons

Very comprehensive list, and I'll look into it (tommorrow - got a barbecue
to do today LOL). Freeware is great, and I don't even mind paying for
software if it really works.

I pull my hair out once or twice a month between AOL and Nortons. Just spent
several hours this week getting AOL up and running again, rebuilding the AOL
adaptor, and re-installing their connectivity service. Their stuff, and
Nortons "runs wild" often for no reason. And between the two of them, takes
up 100% of CPU for at least the first 5 minutes of each bootup.

Frank Chin

 

[antioch]

Hi Frank
Further to the below, as far as I am aware, to get it as an 'update' you
must have downloaded it at some time - may be wrong.
Do a Start/Search files and folders on your c disk for KB890830 - you should
see three entries for it. If you right click on the Application icon and
click on create shortcut, it will tell you you cannot here but can put one
on the desktop, where I have mine.
I do not think you will find it in Add/Remove along with other KB numbers.
It has a purpose and seems to do what it supposed to, and does not upset
anything else on your system.
But as NS says, you have to run it manually when you want to check
for any Malicious stuff.
The updates were at the start every two weeks, but I have had up to six
invitations to update in a month.
Rgds
Antioch