Knowledge Base: How To Remove Spyware, Adware, and Malware

		DavidTulga.com

Knowledge Base: How To Remove Spyware, Adware, and Malware
(and helpful hints and tips)

STEP 1: SPYWARE REMOVAL

There are two highly rated (and entirely free!) spyware removal programs I have found to be very useful. I recommend downloading them, updating the definitions, and then scanning for spyware:

Ad-Aware SE Personal

1. Download it, and install it.
2. Run it, and run the updating component to obtain the newest definitions.
3. Scan you computer for spyware.
4. If (or when) it comes up and you have spyware, right-click on a check-box and hit "select all"
5. Then hit next, to delete all the spyware
6. If it says "some problems cannot be fixed, may Ad-Aware run on restart?" click yes, and read SERIOUS TROUBLE section.

Spybot Search & Destroy

1. Download it, and install it.
2. Run it, and run the updating component to obtain the newest definitions.
3. Scan you computer for spyware.
4. If it detects anything, make sure all boxes are checked, and hit "fix selected problems"
5. If it says "some problems couldn' be fixed, may Spybot run on restart?" click yes, and read SERIOUS TROUBLE section.
6. Immunize your system, to prevent spyware from ever being installed by clicking on the immunize icon. And also, activate the bad download blocker if it isn't already on. (You can immunize before you scan, but it must be done after you update.)

Step 1.5: Re-scan

You should restart your computer and scan again with both Ad-Aware and Spybot, even if they didn't tell you you needed to. This is because often spyware will install hooks into your system that will re-install the spyware, and they can't be detected until they activate during the restart.

STEP 2: IMMUNIZE YOUR SYSTEM
(Note: Actually, the step 6 of STEP 1 with Spybot was immunizing too)

These programs won't remove the spyware from your computer, but protect your computer against any spyware being installed in the first place!

SpywareBlaster

1. Download it, and install it.
2. Run it, then click on "Enable All Protection" to protect your computer.
3. Update the definitions by clicking on "Download Latest Protection Updates"
4. Enable all protection for the unprotected items now too.

Note: While I highly recommend getting SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard is optional, as it notifies you of all settings that spyware might change on your system, and some people can find this a little annoying.

SpywareGuard
Notice: SpywareGuard can interfere with antivirus software, but is very unlikely.

1. Download it, and install it.
2. Run the "LiveUpdate" utility.
3. This is all you need to do, but you can right-click on the icon to customize it if you want.

STEP 3: KEEPING YOUR SYSTEM SECURE, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Update Your Software, and Scan Every So Often

Be sure to run the update function on all four programs to obtain the newest updates, and scan with Ad-Aware and Spybot both a least once a month. The protection by SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard is automatic.

Windows Update

If you are using the Windows operating system, you should always check for updates at Windows Update. You should do this at least once a month. EVERYONE running ANY version of windows should do this, spyware or not. Additionally, if you are running XP or 2000 with the new Service Packs, you should turn on Automatic Updates to keep your computer protected without having to go to Windows Update every month.

Windows XP Service Pack 2

If you're running Windows XP, this is a great update to have - it secures your computer, adds a free pop-up blocker to IE, and comes with a free firewall! You get this through Windows Update, described above.

Microsoft AntiSpyware

If you are running the Windows operating system, you can get Microsoft AntiSpyware (is a beta test version, but still is effective) entirely free. I would recommend downloading it if you want even more protection as it offers, scanning, real-time protection, automatic updates, and system tools.

Spybot Search & Destroy Advanced Mode

Spybot also has an advanced mode with lots of other great tools, and some extra protection too, but I wouldn't recommend turning it on, unless you're relatively comfortable with the workings of your computer, but it's not that complex. :) You turn it on in the "Mode" menu.

Firefox

With the protection provided by Spybot (both the bad download blocker and immunization) and by Spywareblaster and SpywareGuard, IE is relatively secure. (And if you have Windows XP Service Pack 2, IE is quite secure, and you really don't have to worry.)

However, Firefox is largely considered still more secure. You can download and use it if you want, this is by no means necessary, but might be helpful.

Note: You will have to re-run SpywareBlaster to install its protection for Firefox after you install it. You can protect Firefox by clicking on the "Enable All Protection".

Google Toolbar (for Internet Explorer)

In addition to providing one-click access to Google's searching, it also comes with a free pop-up blocker! (if you have XP SP2 or Windows Vista, you don't need it as they come with a pop-up blocker by default, unless, of course, you just want the toolbar for the Google search. :))

SERIOUS TROUBLE (Hopefully, no one will have to do any of this)

If either Spybot or Ad-Aware said they need to restart to fix problems, you likely have some serious problems.

First, try restarting (you may have to more than once) and they'll run on startup. Also, try re-rerunning them a few more times.

If this still doesn't work, boot your computer in Safe Mode:
    Click on "Run..." and type msconfig.
    Then select "Diagnostic Startup" and click OK.
    If it asks you to restart click yes, otherwise restart your computer.
    Run both Ad-Aware and Spybot.
    To restart normally, click on Click on "Run..." and type msconfig.
    Then select "Normal Startup" and click OK.
    If it asks you to restart click yes, otherwise restart your computer.
    Repeat if necessary.

If you still have spyware, even after all this, you'll have to contact a tech support agency to fix your computer, manually remove the spyware yourself, or reinstall Windows.

Spyware Trivia

Some Spyware-Related Definitions:

Spyware: Software that spies on your activity, steals your credit cards, passwords, and opens you up to most identity theft.
Adware: Software that gives you pop-up ads and other types of ads that aren't normally seen. Can also give you spam along with spyware.
Malware: Software that can damage your computer, slow down your computer, and can open back doors for hackers to attack your system.
Zombie: A computer infected with malware and remote-controlled by spammers or hackers to send spam, or attack websites.
Rootkit: Extremely difficult to detect and remove, a rootkit hides within the Operating System (like Windows) and can hide files, and open back doors for hackers, as well as install many other malicious programs.

Studies have shown that an insecure computer connected to the internet can become infected with viruses or spyware in less than 15 minutes!

Spyware Tips

Even if you don't notice any problems on your computer, you still might have spyware and should follow these steps as a preventive measure. Often by the time you notice significant performance problems or crashing programs, a computer can be very infested with spyware.

One of the best preventive measures is to never download anything from suspicious websites or open any attachments from people you do not trust!

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