Securing Your Computer: Clean out the Clutter

From CastleCopsWiki

Now "Clean out the Clutter". By this we mean removing all the temporary, temporary Internet and other junk files that are stored on your computer. You may accomplish this by running either Cleanup! or CCleaner. Both are freeware programs that clean out the garbage. Make "Cleaning out the Clutter" a part of your regular maintenance routine.

Cleanup!

Download, install and run Cleanup! version 4.0

It will get rid of any malware which may be hiding in your temp folders (a common hiding place). You will also regain a massive amount of disk space.

Check 'options' to customize your settings, and then make sure only the following are checked:

• Cleanup all user profiles

• Delete prefetch files

• Empty the recycle bins.

Then reboot to let it clean out any remaining files.

You may consult Bleeping Computer's Cleanup Tutorial for additional setup and running information.

OR

Crap Cleaner

Download Crap Cleaner

Instructions for using CCleaner:

1. Before first use, check under Options, Advanced, and UNCHECK "Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours"
2. A pop up box will appear advising this process will permanently delete files from your system.
3. Then select the items you wish to clean up.

   In the Windows Tab:

   Clean all entries in the "Internet Explorer" section except Cookies.
   

   Clean all the entries in the "Windows Explorer" section.
   

   Clean all entries in the "System" section.
   

   Clean all entries in the "Advanced" section.
   

   Clean any others that you choose.
   

   In the Applications Tab:

   Clean all except cookies in the Firefox/Mozilla section if you use it.
   

   Clean all in the Opera section if you use it.
   

   Clean Sun Java in the Internet Section.
   

   Clean any others that you choose.
   

4. Then click the "Run Cleaner" button and it will scan and clean your system.
Click exit.

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Now you can proceed by invoking some antispyware scanners.

This article is part of the Securing Your Computer: series The series was developed as the key deliverable of the Cleaning Malware Project.

Securing Your Computer: Introduction

Securing Your Computer: Overview

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