How to Remove Malware Using HijackThis - Use HijackThis to Uninstall Adware, Spyware and Hijack Browsers

HijackThis is a powerful freeware application, developed to detect and remove malware from your PC. Learn how to use it to remove spyware, trojans and other malware.

HijackThis works to uninstall malware by scanning your computer and compiling a log file of spyware, Trojans, adware and browser hijackers you may have on your PC, so that you can fix them. Here's how to uninstall malware using HijackThis.

Remove Malware Using HijackThis

Step #1

Create a separate, permanent folder for Hijackthis:

*Click on START and then MY COMPUTER. Double-click on the C: icon.

*Right click anywhere in the window that opens. Select New and then click Folder.

*Name the folder C:\HJT or C:\HijackThis or any other easily recognizable name of your choice.

Download and install HijackThis (See Resources below). Save it to the folder you created in Step #1. Close all browser windows.

Step #2

Click on START and then MY COMPUTER. Navigate to "HijackThis.exe" and open this executable file. This will open a window that will require you to specify how you want to use HijackThis.

Step #3

Click on the button labeled "None of the above, just start the program." This will launch the program and present you with the main HijackThis screen.

Step #4

Click on the "Config" button to configure the settings for HijackThis. Put a checkmark against these settings:

Step #5

*Make backups before fixing items.

*Confirm fixing and ignoring of items (safe mode).

*Ignore non-standard but safe domains in IE (e.g. msn.com, microsoft.com)

*Include list of running processes in logfiles.

Click on the BACK button once you have configured these options.

Click on the SCAN button to begin scanning your computer for possible hijackers and malware applications. HijackThis will now begin scanning your computer.

Step #6

When the scanning is done, all potentially dangerous items found by HijackThis will be displayed in a list. Click on the SAVE LOG button to save this log to your computer. Once again, save it to a location that you can remember so you can easily retrieve the data if you need it.

Step #7

To uninstall malware, simply place a checkmark beside a specific process or application, and click "Fix Checked."

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not remove any application unless you know what you are deleting: you can accidentally delete an important system process!!! If you are unsure whether or not an application is malicious, use one of the alternatives listed below to analyze your HijackThis log.

Analyze Your HijackThis Log

HijackThis does not distinguish malicious programs from legitimate programs. For this reason, it is essential that you never change or delete any listed application or setting if you're unsure whether it is malicious or legitimate. There are two convenient ways to determine the nature of any of the listed applications.

HijackThis Online Forums

There are a number of online support forums that can provide you with free technical assistance. When you submit your HijackThis log files to one of these forums, it will be reviewed and analyzed, and you will get help diagnosing and fixing your problem.

The Online HiJackThis Analyzer Tool

You may also use this free tool to analyze your Hijackthis logs. Just copy and paste your complete log file into the online HijackThis Analyzer and you will get an online analysis of your Hijackthis logs.

TIPS* It is essential to create a permanent folder to run Hijackthis from, because this program will also use this folder to store critical backup files for items that it fixes.

• Aside from the Hijackthis online tool, you can also copy and paste your logs to an online forum to get expert assistance.

WARNING: Do not ever change or delete any of the entries in the Hijackthis log file if you aren't absolutely certain what that particular file is and exactly what it does.

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