This guide is intended for Beginners to Advanced users. It explains how to remove spyware, adware, malware, and other unwanted programs that are installed on your computer.
Starting with the automated removal process, this guide gets more advanced each page. Every page ill remove certain spyware programs from your computer, and finishing this guide will remove all spyware.
You SHOULD update your computer first:
Windows Update (IE only)
Relevant Software:
Zip Genius (Free) - For opening .zip files
Ad-Aware SE (Free)
Disclaimer:
Backup any information or files before you change them. Computer Shack takes no responsibility for mis-use of this guide, or lost information from lack of backups.
Spyware Removal
Page 2: Automatic Removal Methods
Required Software (click for download page):
Ad-Aware SE Download Page (Free)
This step of the spyware and adware removal guide will walk you through how to download and install a spyware and adware scanner called Ad-Aware SE
Terms:
Spyware - Software that steals your information, and sends it to other people
Adware - Software specifially for putting advertisements on your computer
Mal-Ware - Software that intends to harm your computer and or network.
Ad-Aware - NOT ADWARE, this is a program to remove adware
Download and Install Ad-Aware:
1. Download Ad-Aware SE here (Free)
2. Install the program, and run it for the first time
3. Click the globe icon in the upper right corner of the Ad-Aware window
4. Click 'Connect' and wait for the program to update itself
Scan for Adware, Spyware, and Malware:
1. From the Ad-Aware main window, click start
2. Select the 'Perform Full Scan' option, and click Next
3. Allow Ad-Aware to scan as long as it needs
Remove Adware that Ad-Aware found (AFTER scanning):
1. When scan completes, press 'Next'
2. The next page is a list of Adware, Spyware, and Malware that are on your computer
3. Right click the checkboxes in the list, and 'Select All' and click Next
This page has shown you how to scan and remove roughly 75% of spyware programs. The effectiveness of this program will not be high unless you UPDATE AD-AWARE!
Next: Manual Removal Steps (more thorough)
Spyware Removal
Page 3: Manual Removal Methods (more thorough)
(Skill Level: Advanced)
Terms:
Registry - The 'database' where your computers settings are stored
Export - Very similar to saving, this backs up your registry data
Startup Section - The list of programs that start-up with your computer
MSConfig - A windows program that lists your startup items
Disclaimer:
Backup any information or files before you change them. Computer Shack takes no responsibility for mis-use of this guide, or lost information from lack of backups.
Check your startup items:
1. Start > Run
2. In the new box, type 'msconfig'
3. In msconfig, click the startup tab
4. Look through the items on the list, and uncheck items you DONT want starting up on your computer
What to remove from my startup items?
This step is considered an Advanced step because it requires the user to have a knowledge about assorted programs, and software producers. While looking through the list of startup items, you should uncheck any programs that are non-commercial products. For example, Virus Scanners that start with your computer-- If you have Norton Anti-Virus installed, you should keep an eye out for startup items that include things LIKE:
Symantec (Nortons company)
Norton (maker of Norton Antivirus)
Anti-Virus (obviously you dont want to remove items that contain that term).
*NOTE* - Use this guideline to look for software companies, and programs that you KNOW you want to startup with your computer.
Once you have looked through the list, and unchecked the items you DONT want to startup with your computer, you can close msconfig, and restart. When Windows starts up, it will tell you that it isnt starting up all of your programs. Click the checkbox, and click OK to have it not show you this again.
If you have removed something you shouldnt have, or if your computer is acting funny, you can always CHECK the box next to the startup items in MSconfig to add them back to your startup list.
Virus & Spyware Removal
Today, the Internet can be a scary place. With viruses, worms, Trojans and the like, the Internet can be dangerous for a computer user. Yet, did you know that there are programs that install themselves on your computer and watch everything you do? Once installed these programs will bombard you with advertisements based on what it is that you view on the Internet. Such programs are called spyware and they can not only cause your computer to run more slowly, but sometimes can significantly damage your it.
Spyware can be a complete hassle. The installation of spyware happens without the computer user even knowing and suddenly the user finds that their Internet browser has taken on a life of its own and has been hijacked by a spyware program. Other spyware programs can result in a significant number of pop-ups appearing on a computer. Likewise, some spyware programs will overload an individual's mailbox with junk mail and spam based on the users Internet surfing behavior. Finally, some spyware programs can steal your personal banking and credit card information and this can lead to identity theft!
Nevertheless, there is help. There are spyware removal tools available on the Internet that can help you get rid of spyware problems. What's more, spyware software applications can scan both fixed and removable drives on your computer, scan your computer memory, and scan your windows registry to find the nasty spyware programs on your computer. What's more, spyware removal software can help you detect different variants of malware and help you quarantine and remove such applications.
Truly, the advantages of having a spyware removal program are numerous. You can quickly and easily remove behavior-monitoring software, protect your privacy while surfing the Internet, you can remove key logging programs that slow down the efficiency of your computer, and you can regularly update the program to remove new spyware applications that are frequently created.
Many spyware removal programs are available on the Internet for free. Further some come bundled with anti virus software - yet another must for every computer user. Along with the spyware removal and the anti virus applications, users will be pleased to find that they are also provided with firewall applications for additional protection while using the Internet.
To avoid exposing your computer to spyware, you need to be careful about what you download. Many spyware programs are hidden and pose as something which you need. For instance, don't be surprised if you download something off the Internet only to find that you suddenly have spyware on your computer. Spyware will trick you and then install itself and by the time you realize it is on your computer, it is already too late. Therefore, spyware removal programs run on a daily basis will help you eliminate many of the problems and you should install such a program the minute you begin using the Internet. In the end, your privacy is what matters and having spyware on your computer jeopardizes that privacy.
Both Chris West & Michael Russell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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