There are a few other links on that page for rescue discs as well. I have the Kaspersky one, as well as a small program from them that scans for rootkits (it takes less than a minute to scan).
Here that is:
http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363
I run that about every 2 weeks or so.
There's a lot of useful security tools on the net for free, so many that there's really no excuse not to have some sort of rescue tool, and a AV/IS suite too.
Unfortunately, there's still many computer users who doesn't really take security seriously. Some may have one installed, and have it do a scheduled scan once a week or month, and that's it. Just last week, my next door neighbor (the one who shares her internet connection) had several infections, and I cleaned it up with the ESET Online Scanner. Had it needed it, I would've broke out that Kaspersky disc and ran that, I had it with me, but didn't need it.
I have a feeling that sharing her router with the neighborhood played some part with her issues. She's in her 90's now, and just uses her PC to check her email and the weather. But she gets a lot of popup ads that's adult oriented. That's unusual for someone who doesn't frequent those sites.
Like you, I always reformat before reinstalls, and I don't mean that quick format that Windows 7 does, I use a tool like Mini Tool Partition Wizard Home Edition, and fill the space with zeros, using the slow method.
Cat
