Root Out Rootkits with Free TDSSKiller - araizatheasked

Recently I spent some time rescuing my sister-relative-in-law's laptop from more or less seriously tight malware. Flatbottomed after running utilities like-minded Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, so using UnHide to regenerate the system's missing icons and folders, something was hijacking the Web browsers.

Yes, that's browsers, plural. Whenever I'd click a radio link in I or Firefox (the modish versions of both, FYI), some vindictive bit of code would redirect the browser to a phishing site. That's hijacking in a nutshell, and information technology's extremely frustrative.

Because it was happening in both browsers, I knew at that place was a deeper problem than just a rogue nag-in Oregon toolbar. Best guess: a rootkit, a form of malware that can hide itself from normal methods of sensing.

And, sure enough, it was the notorious TDSS, which, atomic number 3 reported just the other day by IDG News show, is now existence distributed by some WordPress-powered blogs. This laptop might give birth gotten purulent just now from visiting a seemingly benign Web site!

So how does one banish TDSS when the usual malware cleaners fail? Kaspersky's at large TDSSKiller worked for me.

Healed, eventually. When I first downloaded and ran the utility, nothing happened. The interface never appeared, so I couldn't start a scan. Turns out TDSS is so nasty, IT can flush block TDSSKiller from running. Fortuitously, Kaspersky posted an updated edition that did the trick.

Once I'd sent TDSS back to hell, the browser hijacking stopped. Your gasoline mileage may vary, of course, but if you've tried other measures and your system of rules is still exhibiting symptoms of infection, TDSSKiller mightiness comprise the final inoculation you need.

Contributing Editor in chief Rick Broida writes approximately business and consumer technology. Ask for help with your PC hassles at hasslefree@pcworld.com, or try the treasure treasure trove of attending folk in the PC Public Community Forums . Contract to have the Hassle-Unrestricted PC newsletter e-mailed to you each week.