POADB

Hi Physics, I use CCleaner too, but with Cleanup, once it's configured - it's cleaning at a click of a button. CCleaner has a lot more functionality and for yourself, may be ideal. But her eon the forum, our users want fast, easy to use methods - which Cleanup forfills. When ever they want to clear junk - simply click the cleanup button. No need to analyze or nothing

You can uninstall any programs you want, it's your computer . I personally suggest using online scans as regular as you use your personal AV. It's sometimes much better to have 'eyes looking in' in terms of virus scans

Meanwhile, The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.

1. Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
   
   
2. AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
   
   
3. SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
   
   
4. SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
   
   
5. IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
   
   
6. CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
   
   
7. Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
   
   
8. Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
   
   
9. Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
   
   
10. Weather Watcher - Free taskbar weather program that is free, malware free, and resource light.
    
    
11. Firefox - Use this alternate browser. Whilst Internet Explorer is not a bad browser, almost every exploit crafted is targeted to take advantage of an IE weakness.
    
    
12. Sun's Java - It's much more secure than Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine.
    
    

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein


It's okay to delete the Hijack This folder in a couple weeks if everything is working okay.

After doing all these, your system will be optimised against future threats.