Botnet Removal Tool

With the recent spread of botnet to high profile organizations its inevitable that botnet will find its way into the homes of users like you and me. So what can you do to stay protected from botnet?

What is botnet?

A botnet is a malicious software program, which once download onto a host machine will start completing tasks on behalf of a central zombie network. Unknown to the user, botnet can infect surrounding PC’s from friends and colleagues using the local network and address contacts stored on the PC. It is also self replicating and capable of self evolution, making the software more complex the longer the host is infected. Since botnet is a simple cog, churning in a much large machine, it is under the control of a criminal organisation who commonly use botnets to steal bank information, performing hacking attempts and stealing sensitive information. All of which is oblivious to the user.

How can you tell if you are infected?

Its very hard to tell if you are affected by botnet because it performs almost every task silently and under cover from your everyday tasks. It will not appear in Windows as a mysterious file, nor as an extra icon on the systray, in fact you’ll see nothing. Thankfully most good antovirus programs will pick it up and delete the malicious software from your machine.

Probably the best and easiest method for removing botnet is to use Microsofts online scan tool to check that you are infected. If you are one of the unlucky few who have been hit by botnet, then you’ll need to use the malicious software removal tool to remove all traces of botnet. See the links below for relative downloads:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/zombies.mspx - About botnet and zombies

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/products/computer/safetyscanner.mspx - Windows Live OneCare safety scanner

Windows Live One Care is a great tool for scanning your computer for unwanted software such as malware, viruses and spyware. Its completely free to use the online tool, but the downloadable software only comes with a 90 day trial (at the moment). Once completed, the scan also provides information on the health of your computer and tips to optimize and enhance the safety of your computer.

The Malicious Software Removal Tool is also a free tool that you can download from Microsoft. The tool runs on computers running Vista, XP, 2000 or 2003. This tool removes any software that is detected as a risk to your computers safety. Its easy to run and once complete, you are safe again.

How should you stay safe from botnet?

Never open attachments from people that you do not know
Use an internet firewall to stop port scans and hackers from trying to connect to your computer
Stay up to date with Microsoft updates, this is an essential step for anybody
Subscribe to industry standard antivirus programs such as Norton, McAfee and Sophos
Use licensed software products at all times. Do not use keygens or hacked software
Never download software from sites that appear false

Above all be vigilant..

Free online scans and downloadable protection programs from trustworthy sources. Industry leaders, Microsoft, McAfee, Sophos and Norton recommended.

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