Even with the appropriate security measures in place, there is still the risk that malware can go undetected by your anti-virus software or even disable it. The “Malicious Software Removal Tool” is designed for such situations. In past articles I mentioned some of my favorite add-on programs such as Malwarebytes, Spybot Search and Destroy and others, however, this is just one more program to add to your arsenal.

When the program is run, it detects and removes malicious software it finds on your computer. In theory, the program is not necessary if you are running an up to date anti-virus software but as in all theories an anti-virus alone does not cover all that is needed. This program does provide another layer of protection.

The program is installed with Vista and is available as a free download for Windows XP. You can locate the tool by typing “mrt.exe” in the “Search” field once you click on the “Start” button.

When the program is run, you can choose the type of scan to perform. You can perform a “Quick”, “Full” or “Custom” scan.

If you choose a “Quick” scan, the Malicious Software Removal Tool will scan the areas of a computer that are likely to contain malicious software.

With a “Full” scan, the entire system is checked for malware. I think you should perform a Full scan every once in a while but be aware that it can take a few hours depending on your system.

Finally, you can opt to perform a “Custom scan” and choose the folders or areas of your computer that you want the program to scan.

The results of the scan will indicate whether any malicious software was found on your computer.

Well, I hope using this program helps you remove any malware that is infecting your system. Until we meet again, have a virus free week.