Note: As per my usual note, this is for Windows machines. Apple computers don’t get malware in the same way Windows computers do and so, usually, if you stay up to date on your software updates, you’ll be fine in most cases. However, if you think they don’t get malware, you haven’t been paying attention!
Removing mild or moderate malware/bloatware is relatively easy and can be performed by anyone. I, essentially, do the same four processes every time I am faced with a piece of malware that is not incredibly difficult to remove. Keep in mind, however, that some malware is more dangerous or troublesome. Additional tools could be required and those additional tools could require an expert. This isn’t any different than car repairs, in that regard. If you ever feel uncomfortable dealing with a piece of malware, there are several websites, which “employ” volunteer experts to assist users in removing malware. Each one of those links are separate sites offering free assistance with malware removal.
There is even a group dedicated to training average or computer savvy individuals on how to properly remove malware by providing them with an online “class” to learn how. I have not taken one of these courses — yet — but a coworker has. Much of my advanced malware removal knowledge comes from him and things he’s showed me.
F8, Not Fate
Get it, get it? F-eight. Anyway, the first step in any malware removal is to get into Safe Mode with Networking. In the event you don’t know what Safe Mode is, it’s a Windows operational mode that limits the computer’s start-up processes to only what is necessary to boot the computer. It looks ugly, has no sound, and certain functions and features, natively used on your computer, cannot be performed while in Safe Mode.
This is the single most important thing to do when trying to remove an infection. Failing to do this could result in you simply “spinning your wheels” when trying to remove a malicious piece of software from your computer as many malware are designed to “hide” from antivirus and removal tools. Safe Mode limits the start-up processes of a computer and, since many malware like to start up with the computer, it, 90% of the time, limits the malware from running in Safe Mode.
On any Windows operating system version lower than Windows 8, getting into Safe Mode with Networking is a cinch:
- Restart your computer and read on to step 2.
- As soon as the screen turns black, start tapping the F8 key every half-second (think fast taps) until a black-screened, white-lettered menu is produced.
- Since we want to be able to get on the internet, we need to select Safe Mode with Networking.
That’s it, that’s all you need to do for that step. You’ll see a bunch of gibberish on the screen and may be prompted to select a username to log in — where you might not have seen one before — but this is normal. Remember when I said it was ugly? That’s because it will only run in 800×600 resolution. Since we are no longer in the 1990’s or 70-years-old or older, we probably aren’t used to that small of a resolution. As I tell anyone I guide into Safe Mode, “don’t worry, it’s supposed to look like this.”
See, That Wasn’t So Hard…Or Was It?
I mention that you should be tapping the F8 key. If you did that and the computer booted normally without the black-screen with white letters, it might not be your fault. You have to tap it quickly, yes, but it shouldn’t sound like a Tommy Gun from the 1920’s. Some laptop manufacturers have started to singularly depreciate the F8 key on some of their keyboards, setting it as the “Fn+key” combination, which is not the default and I really struggle to not write angry letters about this. In the event you’re confused, allow me to explain a bit!
This is a good F8 key!
http://www1.umn.edu/vns/images/vns/conferencing/scando04.jpg
Notice how the “F8” is the prominent character on the key and the “CRT/LCD” key is the sub-key? That’s how it should be! This means that you have to hold the laptop’s “FN” key and press the F8 to toggle between an external monitor and the laptop’s display screen. You also can’t accidentally toggle between the displays by simply tapping the key.
My friend took this picture from his laptop. This is a bad F8 key!
See how the “F8” key takes a back-burner to the “mic off” function of that key? The reason this sucks is that some keyboards don’t recognize the F8 key as such unless you press the “FN” key with it. This could result in you having trouble getting to the Safe Mode menu as outlined above.
Windows Hate
If you have Windows 8, the newest operating system from Microsoft, you have a more difficult task to enter Safe Mode. Don’t ask me why Microsoft decided to make it harder to enter it, but they did! If you’re using Windows 8, you have to hold the Shift key while mashing the F8 key. Apparently this sometimes doesn’t work, either. The site I just linked gives detailed instructions on accessing Safe Mode if you’re using Windows 8 so I won’t repost it. Needless to say, it’s a mess. Changing boot options, from within Windows, is not ideal either because you’ll be tasked with remembering to take it out of Safe Mode before you reboot the computer.
DigiMeal 
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