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Fix your computer right now - free tips and advice on how to clean up your PC or notebook computer.  Read our easy-to-follow steps on how to clean up your computer and the best computer virus protection.  Once you are finished, make sure you protect your computer from harmful viruses and spyware - learn how to protect your PC.

 

Home > PC Clean Up > Quick Fixes > Spyware

Eliminate Spyware

What is Spyware?
Spyware programs sneak on to your PC when you download files or install freeware or shareware software programs.  Beware!  Spyware software comes in a variety of forms and may simply collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit, sites that have been visited, but may also be malicious and can interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity (also known as a browser hijack), accessing websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party.  Not all spyware is malicious, but none of it is desirable.  Spyware can even manipulate your computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs -- it may even seem that your computer has been "taken over" or possessed.  Eliminating spyware can be done by downloading and running spyware-killing software -- many are free programs that are very effective at eliminating spyware.  After you have eliminated your spyware, come up with a regular strategy to prevent it and improve your computer's privacy.

Eliminate your Spyware
Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove spyware of different kinds from your computer. Spyware is a relatively new kind of threat that common anti-virus applications do not yet cover. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you didn't intentionally install, if your browser crashes, or if you browser start page has been hijacked and changed without your knowing, you most probably have spyware. But even if you don't see anything, you may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is silently tracking your surfing behavior to create a marketing profile of you that will be sold to advertisement companies. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm in trying to see if something snooped into your computer, too.  If you used any Peer to Peer file sharing software such as KaZaA, you probably have literally hundreds of spyware programs installed on your machine.

Another great spyware-killing software that we recommend is: Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition from Lavasoft (download)  It is a free program - download the application and the latest updates, then scan your system.  With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware software can clean your system easily, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.

Ad-Aware is a free spyware removal program that includes an improved threat detection, enhanced rootkit removal system, faster updates, Lavasoft ThreatWork to submit suspicious files for analysis, and is now compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista.

"A typical unprotected PC will come under attack
within 20 minutes of being connected to the Internet."

 

Spyware is software that monitors or controls the use of your computer. It could send pop-up ads, redirect browsers to certain Web sites, or even record one's keystrokes. A pop-up ad could even try to trick someone into typing in bank account information, leading to identity theft.  Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Adware).  Spyware is also more broadly called Malware.  Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a blend of the words "malicious" and "software". The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
 
  Why is it called "Spyware" ?
While this may be a great concept, the downside is that the advertising companies also install additional tracking software on your system, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.....     
 

More info on Spyware and Adware


Pop-Ups and Browser Hijacks

While browsing the internet or reading your email, your PC may be invaded by a malicious attack.  You may notice a flood of obscene pop-up windows assaulting you after a mistyped URL, or malicious code taking over your browser completely, or any number of other malfunctions within your internet browser.  Chances are your browser has been hijacked!  An external invasion by malicious code has taken over your internet browser.

Generally your home page will be changed and new favorites will be added that point to sites of dubious content. In most cases, the hijacker will have made registry changes to your system, causing the home page to revert back to the unwanted destination even if you attempt to change it manually.  Now you must figure out a way to eliminate the hijack and of course, to prevent any future hijackings.

Some of the more potent browser Hijackers may also disallow access to certain web pages, for example the site of an anti-spyware software manufacturer like Lavasoft. These programs have also been known to disable Antivirus and anti-spyware software.  This hinders your ability to remove the hijack.

Most browser hijackers take advantage of Internet Explorer's ability to run ActiveX scripts straight from a web page or other Internet Explorer security loopholes and install themselves automatically.   Some browser hijackers may also install themselves onto your computer system as legitimate programs, leaving an entry in the 'add-remove programs' list in the control panel.  Browser hijacking isn't necessarily a virus, and isn't necessarily adware, so stopping it isn't necessarily best left to software monitoring programs either.  You will need a comprehensive solution to fight this.

You can eliminate a Browser Hijack, but it is time consuming.  The best thing to do is begin with the Quick Fix steps above, including an immediate virus scan and spyware scan.  Next, remove questionable programs that you did not install and suspect to be malware - do this via CCleaner or the Windows Add and Remove Programs feature.  The problem is that most Browser Hijacks cannot simply be removed by this method and that piece of malware software you tried to uninstall will just re-install itself.

Install and run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware scan.  Then restart your PC in "safe mode" and run an antivirus scan.  Use Hijack-This to check your registry for malware.  In a worst case scenario, visit the following websites for step-by-step help by computer professionals on how to remove your browser hijack and fix your computer:  CastleCops or BleepingComputer.

Attempt to remove most of the malware on your computer using free anti-virus/anti-trojan products. We have provided a list of our recommended online and free/trial software that we recommend you to scan your computer with as part of this step.  Lastly, you may need to download and install Hijack-This - a popular free diagnostic program.

Once you have eliminated the Spyware on your PC, you must prevent any future Spyware from recurring.  Stop any future invasions with a potent Firewall and with judicious web-surfing habits.  See step #4 for advice and tips on Firewalls.
 
Windows Vista vs. Spyware

All versions of Vista come installed with a program called Windows Defender (previously known as Microsoft Antispyware).  This handy utility works with Internet Explorer and Windows Mail to protect your computer from spyware.  Windows Defender has become an integral part of the Windows Vista Operating System and make it very convenient for users to eliminate and prevent spyware without having to install third-party software.  The Windows Defender enables you to actively scan your computer for all types of spyware that might have infected your computer --especially if you use Internet Explorer to subscribe to online services or make online purchases.  This software is very capable and has received favorable reviews since Vista was launched.

To open the Windows Defender window, click on Start --> Control Panel --> Security --> Windows Defender.

After the Windows Defender window is open, you can click the Scan button to have Vista perform a quick scan of your computer and report any spyware anomalies.

 

Windows (Free) Tool to Fight Malware
Microsoft Security Essentials is a new (free) core anti-malware service that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software.  It was released to the general public as a free download on Sept. 29th 2009.  Microsoft Security
Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and Microsoft Security Essentials Downloadalways kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple. It is also compatible with Windows 7 Operating System.

Microsoft Security Essentials, independently certified by West Coast Labs, is backed by the company’s global security response team and is built on the same award-winning core security technology found in the company’s security solutions for businesses. This software requires no registration, trials, or renewals and will be available for free download directly from Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

 

Protect your most valuable files by backing them up.  Want more details on how to shop for a Backup Hard Drive and how to decide on a backup plan? Check out our Backup Hard Drive Guide for information and details on how to purchase the best hard drive.

>>Continue to our next step: Anti-Virus Scan

Clean Up Steps:
1. Quick PC Fixes
2. Eliminate Spyware
3.
Anti-Virus Scan
4.
Set-Up a Firewall
5.
Update your Computer
6.
Backup your Data

Protect your PC:
1. Protect your Privacy
2. Secure your Wireless Network
3. Avoid Internet Phishing

 

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