Saint Mary's College recommends using Stinger, the free utility from McAfee, for removing the more significant (popular) viruses affecting computers running Windows. Stinger DOES NOT remove all viruses, so additional virus-cleaning steps may be necessary. While this utility does not protect your computer from viruses, it is frequently updated to detect and clean viruses (and their variants) that spread rapidly. Stinger does not scan for adware and non-virus malware. For more information about Stinger you can visit http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Please note that you are welcome to follow these steps to clean your infected computer while you are connected to ResNet. However, if your computer's network access has been blocked, your computer will not be re-enabled until an RCC verifies that it is clean.

1. Obtain the latest free McAfee AVERT Stinger (http://www.mcafee.com)

1. Visit http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
2. Click on the link to download the current Stinger. If you know your computer has a virus that a virus-specific Stinger is available, you may want to run the virus-specific Stinger first, then the general Stinger.
3. The link will take you McAfee's download server - the software download should start immediately.
4. When prompted, choose to Save the file to a convenient location on your hard disk (such as your Desktop folder).

1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode.
1. Press F8 repeatedly after restarting but before Windows screen appears.
2. You should eventually see a black screen with white lettering that shows several options. Near the top of the screen you should see the option for "Safe Mode."
3. Press the up or down arrow key on your keyboard to select "Safe Mode."
4. Press the Enter key.
2. Disable System Restore on your Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home computer:
1. Click Start.
2. Right-click on My Computer, and then select Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Check the "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" box.
5. Click Apply. A message will appear asking if you want to turn off System Restore. Click Yes.
6. Click OK.

3. Double-click on the Stinger icon (which should be on your computer's desktop unless you saved it in another location).

4. Click Scan Now. The tool will run and search for a number of popular viruses and remove them for your computer.

5. When the tool is finished, it will report its results. Close the window to quit Stinger.

6. Restart your computer.

1. Visit http://www.mcafee.com/apps/downloads/security_updates/dat.asp?region=us&segment=enterprise.
2. If prompted, click I agree because Saint Mary's College has a PrimeSupport agreement with McAfee.
3. Click on the SuperDATs tab near the top of the page.
4. Click on the sdatXXXX.exe link - the XXXX represents the version number of the SuperDAT file. (The Release Date listed for the file should not be longer than two days ago.)
5. When prompted, choose to Save the file to a convenient location on your hard disk (such as your Desktop folder). This sdat file will update your Saint Mary's-provided McAfee VirusScan software to the latest virus definitions to protect your computer from current viruses. You can close your web browser window when the sdat has finished downloading.
6. Double-click on the sdatXXXX icon (which should be on your computer's desktop unless you saved it in another location).
7. A windows box will open. Click on the Next button. Several processes should then take place, including closing and re-opening VirusScan. When the files have been successfully installed onto your hard drive, you may get a box asking you if you want to restart your machine. If that is the case, make sure the "Yes, I want to restart my computer now" button is selected to reboot your machine. Click on the Finish button.

8. Restart your computer.

If you are unsure how to run a scan on your computer, please visit the Virus Protection @ Saint Mary's College website at http://www.saintmarys.edu/virus/ and refer to the section Instructions for using virus-protection software.

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click on My Computer, and then select Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Uncheck the "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" box.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK.