ComboFix and TDSSKiller: Two freeware tools you need to know about in your war against badware:

Today we’re featuring two programs that we want to make you aware of, even if you don’t need them right now. Chances are you will want to be aware of them because, unfortunately, we live in an age when antispyware and antivirus (no matter which ones you use) are simply not enough to protect you completely.

And it’s a good time to remind you that relying solely on software to protect you is a game for fools. You need to bring to the Internet your best weapon against chicanery and misanthropes — your common sense. It has served you well over the years in the non-Internet world, and it will serve you better than any software program ever created too. You just have to remember to keep it with you when you log-on to the Internet. Too many people leave it behind and end up in all kinds of trouble because they do.

But no matter how careful you are or how much common sense you have, we are all human and we all make mistakes. And those who assume that miscreants are stupid are in for a big surprise. Just because they’re miscreants and criminals, doesn’t mean they’re stupid. They’re smart and getting smarter all the time. There are all kinds of chicanery and trickery going on in the world of badware, and some of it is pretty sophisticated. Sophisticated enough to evade your antivirus and antispyware, sophisticated enough to trick even the most cautious and informed among us.

So it’s quite likely, unfortunately, that you’re going to need these two weapons in your war against the bad guys. You might not want to download them today. You might not need them today, or tomorrow or even next week. But it’s very likely that sometime, maybe soon, you’re going to need them.

Our first pick is one of the most comprehensive and powerful freeware tools ever created. It’s called ComboFix. And before we tell you about it we want to tell you this: ComboFix is powerful. If you use it without reading the instructions or you use it indiscriminately, you could cause serious harm to your computer. But still, if you take the time to learn how to use it, or you allow someone who knows how to use it help you with it, it can weed out the even most scurrilous rootkits and badware.

ComboFix
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
32bit and 64bit systems
Get more information and download from here.

(This description comes from Bleeping Computer)

“ComboFix is a program, created by sUBs, that scans your computer for known malware, and when found, attempts to clean these infections automatically. In addition to being able to remove a large amount of the most common and current malware, ComboFix also displays a report that can be used by trained helpers to remove malware that is not automatically removed by the program.

Please note that running this program without supervision can cause your computer to not operate correctly. Therefore only run this program at the request of an experienced helper.”

ComboFix is a program you should take time to learn. Because there will come a time when you will need it. It’s not a question of if, but a question of when. We caution you again — do not use this program without reading the instructions. You can read the ComboFix guide by visiting this page

TDSSKiller by Kaspersky
Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
32bit and 64bit systems
More information and download link available here

We’re not big on Kaspersky’s Security Suite, in fact we don’t recommend it at all. But TDSSKiller is not a security suite, it’s a specialized program made to remove certain pernicious rootkits and Trojans from your computer.

Unlike ComboFix, TDSSKiller can be used without reading the instructions, although to get the most benefit from it, you need to learn how to use the advance settings feature. Still, you won’t harm your computer by running TDSSKiller even if you don’t know what the heck you are doing.

TDSSKiller is a utility created by Kaspersky designed to remove many rootkits and Trojans. TDSSKiller removes Rootkit.Win32.TDSS, Rootkit.Win32.Stoned.d, Rootkit.Boot.Cidox.a, Rootkit.Boot.SST.a, Rootkit.Boot.Pihar.a,b,c, Rootkit.Boot.CPD.a, Rootkit.Boot.Bootkor.a, Rootkit.Boot.MyBios.b, Rootkit.Win32.TDSS.mbr, Rootkit.Boot.Wistler.a, Rootkit.Win32.ZAccess.aml,c,e,f,g,h,i,j,k, Rootkit.Boot.SST.b, Rootkit.Boot.Fisp.a, Rootkit.Boot.Nimnul.a, Rootkit.Boot.Batan.a, Rootkit.Boot.Lapka.a, Rootkit.Boot.Goodkit.a, Rootkit.Boot.Clones.a, Rootkit.Boot.Xpaj.a, Rootkit.Boot.Yurn.a, Rootkit.Boot.Prothean.a, Rootkit.Boot.Plite.a, Rootkit.Boot.Geth.a, Rootkit.Boot.CPD.b, Backdoor.Win32.Trup.a,b, Backdoor.Win32.Sinowal.knf,kmy, Backdoor.Win32.Phanta.a,b, Virus.Win32.TDSS.a,b,c,d,e, Virus.Win32.Rloader.a, Virus.Win32.Cmoser.a, Virus.Win32.Zhaba.a,b,c, Trojan-Clicker.Win32.Wistler.a,b,c, Trojan-Dropper.Boot.Niwa.a, Trojan-Ransom.Boot.Mbro.d, e, Trojan-Ransom.Boot.Siob.a, Trojan-Ransom.Boot.Mbro.f.

TDSSKiller is freeware. You can learn more about and / or download TDSSKiller from this page.

You may choose not to download either of these freeware programs today, but we wanted you to know about them; they are two of the most powerful tools you can use to ferret out and destroy badware infections on your computer.

You still need a good antivirus and antispyware installed — and you need to keep them updated. You should also have Malwarebytes installed and updated too. And most of all, remember always to keep your common sense with you when you log-on to the Internet.

Have a freeware program you like and want us to feature? Let us know!