Should I always delete worms and trojan horses from my PC?

[LostInAnomie]

I just recently started running a new anti-virus program on my computer and on the first scan it discovered two worms and a trojan horse. My other anti-virus programs have never detected these before but I am still not sure I should erase them because their location. I am afraid that the new program may be misinterpreting benign or possibly necessary files as something nefarious.

How can I be sure that these files are safe to erase and will not do damage to my computer if deleted?

[LostInAnomie]

1. C'mon! Someone answer me.

Please!

[qnr]

2. Hmmm, I'd guess people need more detail before they reply. I don't

use Windows, so I can't really comment.

[Omphaloskepsis]

3. First rule of asking for computer help..

Give some fucking details, shit. Operating System? Programs used, Buggers found. And for shits and giggles, a Hijack This log. To much info is better then, "My PC sucks now, help."

[Kutjara]

4. Generally, yes, although...

...it could depend on what software applications you use. Some applications (like file sharing programs) install 'spyware' and 'adware' that tracks user activities in order to push 'relevant' (read crap) advertisements at the user. Some also capture email addresses, so your inbox starts to fill up with spam. Removing the malware is a good idea, but it can cause the application that installed it to stop working. Given that there are many different Windows applications on the market that do largely the same thing, I look for ones that don't install sneaky software.

Anti-virus and spyware detecting software varies widely in performance. Just because one program doesn't pick something up, doesn't mean it isn't there. If you want to post the names of the files your anti-virus says is malware, I'll be able to tell you whether it's safe to delete.