Depending on what virus it really was Combofix is good but there is no single tool that gets everything.
I use:
ComboFix
Spybot Search and Destroy
Ad-Aware
And whatever AntiVirus is handy
Trend-Micro's Housecall if they do not have an Antivirus already installed, otherwise Avast or AVG typically.
I scan any infected computers with all of the above, in the order listed above. Sometimes I have to add CCleaner to the mix as well.
Not to mention, getting into MSCONFIG, REGEDIT and TASK MANAGER to make sure there still aren't other things lurking.
Before doing ANY of this I back up the customer's computer to an external 1TB USB drive.
After cleaning up the virus problems, I also then do a complete disk clean, removing all temp files, dump files, etc. followed by a series of defrag's until defrag has nothing left to move or compress.
With the customer's permission I also bring all Windows Updates current, make sure they have the latest drivers and firmware updates, Antivirus is installed and working, etc.
When they come to pick up the machine or if I deliver it or if I do all of this onsite, I show them how to run, update and scan using the tools above so they can do this themselves as necessary....but most of them never do...they just bring it back to me to do every 6 months or so.
I charge $129/hour, same as the local Geek Squad and I have a policy that if you do not like my work or think it was not worth it, then you don't owe me a dime. First time customers get the first hour free. Most of my customers become repeat customers.
Typical bill is for 2-4 hours...sometimes more. I have had two people in 10 years take me up on my offer of not paying if it wasn't worth it. Most have been multiple repeat customers. There is rarely a week goes by that I don't have at least one or more virus-infested computers dropped by to be worked on.
In a decent sized town like St. Louis, you can actually make a decent living doing this if you get well-known among the right people.
Kris
