#1052 – How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

Technology With Confidence - - - - - - - -               Confident Computing from Ask Leo! - Be sure to allow image display for the best viewing
#1052 - How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?
View Online: https://newsletter.askleo.com/current-newsletter/
Newsletter FAQ & administration

But is it gone?

So, your machine has malware. You do what you can to remove it. The scans you run all turn up clean.

But can you really be absolutely positive that the malware is gone?

Spoiler: there are no absolutes. Not in computing (and probably not in life). But you can prepare.

How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

Also this week

  • That infected machine? Should you back it up?
  • Backing up prior to a major Windows anything.
  • Understanding your local "Library".
  • Yet another no-TPM installation approach.

TEH Podcast

We're back! The end of fact checking. CES seemed less than exciting. Accidental price collusion via AI. Cool stuff. Self promotion. And, as always, "more".

TEH 238: Facebook Fact Checking. New displays. AI in Housing.

Take care,

Leo

Featured Article

How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?
With preparation, you can. Without? Not so much.

Of course we want to be certain malware has been removed. Unfortunately, certainty is difficult to come by.
Read: How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

Should I Back Up If My Machine Is Infected?
Backing up is fine. It's the restore that's a problem.

Should I Back Up If My Machine Is Infected?
If you believe your machine is infected, first protect and preserve your data.
Read: Should I Back Up If My Machine Is Infected?

-

How to Back Up Before a Windows Update
It's important protection in case something goes wrong.

How to Back Up Before a Windows Update
Always back up before a Windows upgrade, update, or reinstall. Create a full system image backup of up your entire computer.
Read: How to Back Up Before a Windows Update

-

What Are Windows "Libraries" and How Do They Work?
Confusing is what they are.

What Are Windows "Libraries" and How Do They Work?
Windows Libraries allow multiple folders to be viewed as if they are one. They can be confusing unless you understand how they work.
Read: What Are Windows "Libraries" and How Do They Work?

-

Yet Another Way to Install Windows 11 Without a TPM
And possibly even an unsupported CPU.

Yet Another Way to Install Windows 11 Without a TPM
Windows 11 requires a TPM and a CPU with particular specifications. This approach should let you install Windows 11 on a machine not meeting those requirements.
Read: Yet Another Way to Install Windows 11 Without a TPM

Ask Leo! on YouTube

Subscribe to Ask Leo! on YouTube to get the latest on YouTube.com. Your subscription (and "Likes") help others find Ask Leo!, and the answers they're looking for.

Yet Another Way to Install Windows 11 Without a TPM

Windows 11 requires a TPM among other things. This approach should let you install Windows 11 on a machine not meeting those requirements.
Watch: Yet Another Way to Install Windows 11 Without a TPM

-

Just What Are Windows "Libraries" and How Do They Work?

Libraries are a feature added to Windows 7 that allow multiple folders to viewed as if they are one. It can be very confusing unless you understand how they work.
Watch: Just What Are Windows "Libraries" and How Do They Work?

-

How to Back Up Before a Windows Update

Always back up before a Windows upgrade, update, or reinstall. Create a full system image backup of up your entire machine.
Watch: How to Back Up Before a Windows Update

-

How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

Of course we want to be certain malware has been removed. Unfortunately, certainty is difficult to come by.
Watch: How Do I Make Sure Malware is Gone?

-

Should I Back Up If My Machine Is Infected?

If you believe you're machine is infected, you will want to protect and preserve your data right away. Then, make sure exactly what happened.
Watch: Should I Back Up If My Machine Is Infected?

All About OneDrive - Online Course

All About OneDrive - Online Course

OneDrive is both incredibly powerful and at times incredibly confusing. It includes a bucket-load of features to help you back up, share, collaborate, stay safe, and more.

All About OneDrive covers OneDrive's features and its peculiarities so you can use it to the fullest.

(Silver level patrons and above: All About OneDrive is included in your patronage. If you don't see it in your My Account page, just ask.)

More details in the Ask Leo! store: All About OneDrive - Online Course


Support Ask Leo!

Ask Leo! is supported in part by people just like you! For as little as $2/month you can help, and view askleo.com without ads. For $5/month you'll also get the The Ask Leo! Tip of the Day

Here are examples of tips published this week:

Support Ask Leo! and become a patron for these and other exclusive benefits and discounts!

Other ways to support Ask Leo!.

Share Confident Computing!

Share the confidence: forward this (without your unsubscribe link at the bottom) to your friends! They'll thank you! (And so will I!)

Did someone forward this to you?

Subscribe

to get your own copy each week. It's FREE!

Become a Patron
Ask Leo! Books

Social & more!

Facebook
Mastodon
YouTube
More..

Buy me coffee...

Other Projects....

Not All News Is Bad - Each day I look for one story in the current news of the day with a positive bent. Just one. And I share it.

HeroicStories Since 1999, HeroicStories brings diverse, international voices to the world ' reminding us that people are good, that individuals and individual action matter. Stories - new and old - are published twice a week.

7 Takeaways - I've resolved to read something of substance each day and identify one idea to "take away". Once a week I post the takeaways I've collected for the week.

leo.notenboom.org - My personal blog. Part writing exercise, part ranting platform, it's where I write about anything and everything and nothing at all.

 
Posted: January 14, 2025 in: 2025
Shortlink: https://newsletter.askleo.com/9192
« Previous post:
Next post: »

New Here?

Let me suggest my collection of best and most important articles to get you started.

Of course I strongly recommend you search the site -- there's a ton of information just waiting for you.

Finally, if you just can't find what you're looking for, ask me!

Confident Computing

Confident Computing is the weekly newsletter from Ask Leo!. Each week I give you tools, tips, tricks, answers, and solutions to help you navigate today’s complex world of technology and do so in a way that protects your privacy, your time, and your money, and even help you better connect with the people around you.

The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet – FREE Edition

Subscribe for FREE today and claim your copy of The Ask Leo! Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet – FREE Edition. Culled from the articles published on Ask Leo! this FREE downloadable PDF will help you identify the most important steps you can take to keep your computer, and yourself, safe as you navigate today’s digital landscape.



My Privacy Pledge

Leo Who?

I'm Leo Notenboom and I've been playing with computers since I took a required programming class in 1976. I spent over 18 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, and after "retiring" in 2001 I started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place to help you find answers and become more confident using this amazing technology at our fingertips. More about Leo.