How often have you had someone come up to you and say “Hey, you know computers. I think my PC is infected what do I do?”

Generally, their AV is out of date or non-existent.  Today it was pointed out to me that Dr. Web has a free cleaner called “Dr. Web CureIt!“.  The application runs on all versions of Windows without installation of a full anti-virus application. Just download and run it.

According to their website it cleans:

* Rootkits * Mass-mailing worms * E-mail viruses * Peer-to-peer viruses * Internet worms * File viruses * Trojans * Stealth viruses* Polymorphic viruses * Bodiless viruses * Macro viruses * MS Office viruses * Script viruses * Spyware * Spybots * Password stealers * Keyloggers* Paid Dialers * Adware * Riskware* Hacktools * Backdoors * Joke programs * Malicious scripts * Other malware*

So next time you’re confronted with that, just have them download (if they can) a copy of Dr. Web CureIt!. It won’t replace having a resident (and up to date) anti-virus application running but it should help get them (and you) out of the little jam.