As we use our computer, temporary files build up. In some ways, this can be good for those with a slow Internet connection. However, malware has been known to nest in various temporary locations. Although such a cleanup can be done manually, as described below, there are a couple of software programs that make it much easier to remove the deadwood.
A software that works well for Windows 2000 and Windows XP is
ATF CLeaner by Atribune. Instructions for using ATF Cleaner:
Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
If you use Firefox browserClick Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
If you use Opera browserClick Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.
Another popular software is
CCleaner. You can download CCleaner from this direct link:
http://www.ccleaner.com/downloadbin.asp?f=2 .
Clean Temporary Internet files with CCleaner as follows:
- Close all open programs, including Internet Explorer, Fire Fox and any instances of Windows Explorer.
- Launch CCleaner and under Options > Advanced > UNcheck "Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours".
- A pop up box will appear advising this process will permanently delete files from your system.
- To protect logon cookies that you wish to retain, under Options > Cookies. Select and using the arrow move those cookies to the "Cookies to keep" column.
- Then select the items you wish to clean up.
- In the Windows Tab:
- Clean all entries in the "Internet Explorer" section.
- Clean all the entries in the "Windows Explorer" section.
- Clean all entries in the "System" section except Windows Log Files.
- In the Applications Tab:
- Clean all 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.
- If you need assistance with a malware infection, please UNcheck "Utilities" (i.e., Ad-Aware, ewido and other security program logs.)
- Click the "Run Cleaner" button and it will scan and clean your system.
- Click exit.
To
manually clean the temporary internet files, do the following:
- Quit Internet Explorer and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.
- Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
- On the General tab, click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.
- In the Delete Files dialog box, tick the Delete all offline content check box , and then click OK.
- Click on the Programs tab then click the Reset Web Settings button. Click Apply then OK.
- Click OK.
Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop, and then clicking Empty Recycle Bin.
Worms in your garden are one thing -- and generally considered good for aerating the soil and the song birds certainly like them. Computer worms, however, are another story entirely!
