Spyware Scanning
What is spyware?
Spyware has become a major threat on the Internet. It runs in the background on your computer and monitors your actions, which
websites you visit, and reports them back to hackers or disreputable software companies. Some are more intrusive than others,
but a lot of spyware can cause your computer to slow down, crash, or not start up at all. Running an anti-spyware program regularly
will help keep your computer clean of these programs.
Installing Spybot Search & Destroy
Go to http://www.download.com.
In the search bar enter spybot.
Look for Spybot - Search & Destroy. Click Download Now.
Windows will open a File Download box. Click Open.
When the program downloads it will automatically run the installer.
When the installer opens, click OK to use English.
Click Next, then check I accept after reading the license agreement.
Click Next using all of the defaults, then click Install. Click Finish.
Click OK to run the program.
When the Spybot - S&D Wizard opens, click Next, then click Search for Updates. Click Download all available updates. When the update downloads finish, the program will restart.
Click Check for Problems to scan your computer.
Any spyware found will show up in red. When the scan finishes click Fix Selected Problems to get rid of the spyware. Click Yes to the confirmation box.
If Spybot says some problems could not be removed, click Yes to run at the next startup.
Adware Scanning
What is Adware?
Adware is similar to spyware, but it focuses more on direct advertising. If you see a lot of popup ads on your computer, it might
be due to spyware or adware. AdAware is a program similar to Spybot Search & Destroy, but try running both to make sure your
computer is clean and protected.
Installing LavaSoft AdAware
Go to http://www.download.com.
In the search bar enter ad aware.
Look for Ad-Aware SE Personal. Click Download Now.
Windows will open a File Download box. Click Open.
When the program downloads it will automatically run the installer.
Click Next, then check I Accept after reading the license agreement.
Click Next using all of the defaults, then click finish.
Click OK to check for updates. Click connect. Click Ok to download the updates, then click Finish.
Click Start, and then click Next to start the scan.
When the scan is complete, click Next, right-click any of the check boxes and click Select All.
Click next, then click OK to remove the objects.
You computer should now be clean.
Other Resources
You can try an early version of Microsoft AntiSpyware, another free tool for keeping your computer free of spyware threats.
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