Malware often drops itself as a hidden file and then disables the Folder Options menu in Windows Explorer so you can't change the settings to view hidden files and folders. If you are unable to access the Tools | Folder Options in Windows Explorer, here's how to modify the registry to regain access to the Folder Options menu.

By default, Windows does not display hidden files and folders. Virus writers often take advantage of this, by dropping hidden files to the system that the casual user can't see. Though the default isn't technically a rootkit, for the inexperienced computer user it can have the same effect. Here's how to change the default settings in Windows so you can view hidden files and folders.

Malware can load from a variety of different places on your PC. In addition to the more common modifications to Windows auto start entry points, malware may leverage the shell open command. This allows it to register itself as the handler for certain file types and thus the virus, worm or Trojan loads when any of these file types are called. (The 2001 Sircam worm was one of the earliest examples of widespread malware using this technique).

To make manual inspection and removal more difficult, malware often disables access to Task Manager. Fortunately, a few quick Registry edits are usually all that are needed to regain control. Here's how.

Except in the case of rootkit-enabled malware, it's often possible to remove an infection (at least the active components) by removing their startup points. Following is a list of some of the more frequently used autostart entry points in Windows, including startup folders, registry keys, and ini files. Use the list as a guide as to where to look for the signs of a malware infection - but remember, registry edits and system changes should only be attempted by experienced users.

There seems to be an increasing number of complaints regarding links in Outlook email not working. In other words, you click a link in an email message and nothing happens. Though the cause of the problem may vary, one reason can be tracked to a family of Trojans intent on stealing gaming credentials.

One day, you're surfing the Internet just fine. The next day, some or all of the sites you typically visit are no longer accessible. Troubleshooting "Page cannot be displayed" or "Cannot find server" error messages can be frustrating. There are a number of possible causes and it may take a bit of digging to get to the root of the problem. Here's how to troubleshoot some of the more common Internet connectivity problems.

One day, you're surfing the Internet just fine. The next day, Internet Explorer has slowed to a crawl. Sometimes, many web sites display "Page cannot be displayed" or "Cannot find server" error messages. With just a bit of housekeeping, you can resolve Internet Explorer performance issues and keep them from happening in the future.

Sometimes mistakes happen. Whether the result of a false positive from antivirus software or a misunderstanding of a file's function, on occasion a valid system file can be inadvertently deleted or quarantined. Sometimes, the results can seem disastrous - a looping blue screen each time you try to boot up the PC. Other times, a stop error with a cryptic message may be the result. Here's how to replace the missing file(s) to get your system operational again.

Hiding inside of every email is a header, showing each step of the email's journey from point A to point Z and every pass through in between. The steps to view an email header vary between mail clients. If you need help displaying these headers, visit Email.About.com or post a message to the help forum at http://email.about.com/mpboards.htm.