Downloader.MDW Removal Using Combofix

The first thing you should do is print out this guide, so we can close all the open windows and programs, including your web browser, before starting the ComboFix program.

Download ComboFix from one of the following URLs:

• BleepingComputer.com
• ForoSpyware.com

To download ComboFix, left-click on one of the links above and you will see a prompt like the figure below.

Download ComboFix Prompt

Click on the Save button, and when it asks you where to save it, make sure you save it directly to your Windows Desktop. An image showing this is below.

Downloading ComboFix to the Desktop

When you have the Save as screen configured to save ComboFix.exe to the Desktop, click on the Save button. ComboFix will now be downloaded to your computer. When ComboFix has finished downloading you will now see an icon on your desktop like to the one below.

ComboFix Icon

We are almost ready to start ComboFix, but before we do, we need to take some small safety measures so that there are no conflicts with other programs when running ComboFix.

• Close all open Windows including this one.
  
• Close or disable all running Antivirus, Antispyware, and Firewall programs as they may interfere with the proper running of ComboFix.
            Instructions for antivirus programs can be found here.
            Instructions for firewall programs can be found here.
  
  

Once these steps have been completed, double-click on the ComboFix icon on your desktop. Please note, that once you start ComboFix you should not click anywhere on the ComboFix window as it can cause the program to stall. In fact, when ComboFix is running, do not touch your computer at all. The scan could take a while, so go get a coffee.

Once you double-click on the icon, you should see a screen like to the one below.

Windows Open File Security Warning

Windows is issuing this prompt because ComboFix does not have a digital signature. This is perfectly normal and safe and you can click on the Run button to continue. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, and receive UAC prompt asking if you would like to continue running the program, you should press the Continue button.

You will now see the first ComboFix screen as shown below.

ComboFix is Preparing to Run

ComboFix is now preparing to run and when it has finished you will see a screen showing the authorized locations to download Combofix. On this screen please press the OK button and you will be shown the Disclaimer screen shown below.

ComboFix Disclaimer

If you do not agree to the disclaimer, then click on the No button to exit the program. Otherwise, to continue you should press the Yes button to continue. If you decided to continue, then ComboFix will create a System Restore point so that if any problems occur while using the program you can restore back to your previous configuration. When ComboFix has finished creating the restore point, it will then backup your Windows Registry as shown in the image below.

ComboFix is backing up the Windows Registry

Once the Windows Registry has finished being backed up, ComboFix will attempt to detect if you have the Windows Recovery Console installed. If Windows Recovery Console is no installed you will see the following message as shown below:

ComboFix Recovery Console

At the above message box, please click on the Yes button in order for ComboFix to continue. Please follow the steps and instructions given by ComboFix in order to finish the installation of the Recovery Console. Once it has finished installing, you will be presented with the screen shown below.

ComboFix Recovery Console Finished

You should now press the Yes button to continue. If at any time during the Recovery Console installation you receive a message stating that it failed to install, please allow ComboFix to continue with the scan of your computer. When it is done, and a log has been created, you can then perform the manual install of the Recovery Console.

ComboFix will now disconnect your computer from the Internet, so do not be surprised or concerned if you receive any warnings stating that you are no longer on the Internet. When ComboFix has finished it will automatically restore your Internet connection.

ComboFix will now start scanning your computer for known infections. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.

ComboFix is scanning the computer for infections

While the program is scanning your computer, it will change your clock format. When ComboFix is finished it will restore your clock settings to their previous settings. You will also see the text in the ComboFix window being updated as it goes through the numerous stages of its scan. An example of this can be seen below.

Stages of the ComboFix AutoScan

There are a total of 50 stages as shown in the image below, so please be patient. The amount of stages will go up as time goes on, so if the amount of stages is different when you run it, don't be concerned.

34th Stage of the ComboFix AutoScan

When ComboFix has finished running, you will see a screen saying that it is preparing the log report as shown below.

ComboFix is preparing the log report

This can take a while, so be patient. If you see your Windows desktop disappear, do not worry. This is normal behavior and ComboFix will restore your desktop before it is finished. Eventually you will see a new screen that states the program isjust about finished and telling you the programs log file, or report, will be located at C:\ComboFix.txt. This can be seen in the image below.

ComboFix is almost done

When ComboFix is finished, it will automatically close the program and change your clock back to its original format. It will then display the log file automatically for you as shown below.

If any infections were found Combofix will now reboot your computer.