The first step in removing unwanted malware is discovering it. Many malware programs are designed to run in the background and gather data or subvert computer use without the owner knowing. Microsoft provides a free protection scan that will scan the user's computer for any malware and recommend appropriate action. The scanner is available free online from the Microsoft Protection Center and is run in real time. Users can select the level of scan they wish to perform, from entire computer to specific drives. Microsoft recommends scanning the computer on a regular basis as the scanning system is constantly upgraded to deal with new malware programs that may affect your computer.
Microsoft's own Malicious Software Removal Tool is designed to scan the user's computer and remove any unwanted software that may be causing problems on the machine. The tool is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000. The program is available for free download and can be found on the Microsoft Download Center website. Users may already have the tool on their computer as it was released as an update that runs in the background of the Windows operating system. The tool is regularly updated to combat the latest malware issues.
Microsoft warns, "Some companies use products that appear to be anti-virus programs to install viruses or malware on your computer." In order to help combat this occurrence, Microsoft has released a list of verified anti-virus programs that are compatible with Windows 7. This list can be found on the Microsoft website and includes, Panda Secuirty, ESET, Bullguard, Norman and some well-known names such as McAfee and AVG. These anti-virus programs are more advanced than the tools provided by Microsoft directly and are capable of dealing with more threats. Many, however, require a regular fee to run and receive updates.