Silly question - can using system restore fix a spyware infection?

[Five_Star]

As title really, can a simple system restore to last week fix a spyware / malware infection?

I want the fastest way to clean up an infected PC my mate asked me to look at

 

[SPARC]

Not if the spyware has infected system restore too.

Run either this or this and see if you can't fix it. Some people recommend running them in safe mode for best effect.

Also ensure your mate has good AV protection and it's up to date.

 

[Five_Star]

Ah, I had read threads where people where suggesting disabling system restore and there was no explanation given.

In the case where, say for example, I know the infection occurred on the 20th Nov if I rolled back to a system restore point on the 1st Nov the system should be clear of the spyware / malware infection yes?

Or are you saying that clever spyware / malware can infect the system restore details so even after a restore the problem persists?

 

[hood1971]

walware can infect all restores. Try the programs sparc suggested and see if you can kill the infection

 

[Sidney James]

Depends which spyware caused the problem,some lock you out of restore!.If you can, try it...what have you to lose apart from 2 hours reinstalling the lot?.And get a decent antivirus! a good freebie is avast but paid versions do give you better support(I notice that OCUK do webroot cheaply and have heard ok things about this).

 

[Raumarik]

Personally I'd fix the existing install before looking to restore, as mentioned it can be infected too and I've never been a fan of system restore anyway.

I'd use Malwarebytes and combofix, frankly it's unlikely anything would be left after running those two.