Malicious Software Removal Tool

Microsoft has release a software tool that will scan your computer for specific and malicious software. The internet over the years has been infected with worms like Conficker, Code Red, Blaster, and Sobig that caused computers to fail and internet issues all over the world. To help combat these threats Microsoft released the Malicious Software Removal Tools to help computer users remove these threats from computers. New updates are released on the second Tuesday of every month and is released under critical updates. This tool isn’t a substitute for an antivirus program. Internet Safety Center has created a guide on how to find and use this tool.

If you would like more information on the Malicious Software Removal Tools click on the following link http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Windows Vista

Step -1 Windows Vista users may not see the run command when clicking the Windows Icon (Start).

To add the run command to your start menu right click on the task bar across the bottom your screen and select properties. Click on the Start Menu tab and select customize

Step - 2 Scroll down until you see the Run Command and click on the box so you see the check mark. Finally click on the OK button and click OK again to close everything out. You will now see the run command in your start menu.

Step - 3 Click on Start and then go to Run. In the run box type mrt.exe. The main screen will now display on your desktop.

Step - 4 You must check to assure you have the latest updates for the removal tool. Verify that current month and year are correct on the title bar. If your version is out of date go to Windows update and get the latest update. After you have verified you have the latest version hit next.

You have three options to select from:

Quick Scan:

This just makes a quick scan of your computer only taking a few minutes. Internet Safety Center doesn’t recommend this scan because most malicious software won’t be removed with this option.

Full Scan:

Internet Safety Center recommends doing a full scan of you computer every week. This scan will dig deep into your computer looking for malicious software and remove it. The downside to this option is that it will generally take 2 hours or more to complete. We recommend that you start this scan before you go to bed so it can run overnight.

Customize Scan:

Internet Safety Center doesn’t recommend this option unless you have a thorough understanding of how this software works.

After you have made your selection hit next. The malicious software removal tool will now start scanning your computer.

Scan Results:

When the scan has completed it will display the results. You can select View detailed results of the scan or hit finish to exit the software.

Creating a desktop icon for the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

To create a desktop icon click on start and go to my computer. Click on the C: drive and then click on the Windows folder. Next, click on the System32 folder and scroll down until you find mrt.exe or mrt. Right click on mrt.exe and scroll down to send to and then select Desktop (create shortcut). This will create an icon your desktop.