A Removal Guide for Spyware and Adware

Q: What Exactly is Spyware/Adware?

A: Spyware and adware are malicious code made by programmers or companies. It sends information about how you use your computer to the company who placed it there to begin with. They can then send a mass amount of ads at you that are targeted to what you like – this is usually not stoppable, and very annoying.

Q: Well, I Don't Really Care If They Know What I'm Doing or Not

A: That's fine – leave it on your computer, as long as you're also aware that it can drastically slow down your computer, and even prevent programs from running.

Here you can learn about different programs to protect yourself against these unwanted beings.

Spyware Blaster

The first program you need to defend yourself is Spyware Blaster – download, install, and run the program. The reason you should use Spyware Blaster is that it's different from most removers, because it focuses on preventing the spyware in the first place.

The first thing you must do is update the definitions.

And enable the protection mechanism, so your computer is protected.

Ad-Aware

The next program to fight the evils of computer corruption is Ad-Aware, a powerful, popular program.

After installing, update the definitions:

Then make sure to scan your computer, so that anything bad that's already on it can be removed.

Spybot – Search and Destroy

Spybot is an extremely efficient, powerful tool that compliments Ad-Aware and Spyware Blaster wonderfully. It works much like Spyware Blaster in the way that it also blocks programs from being added to your computer in the first place. After you install it, update it and have it immunize your computer.

And don't forget to scan your computer!

Tips

Basic Tips In Fighting Spyware and Adware

You should always check Add/Remove programs in Control Panel, and remove any and all programs you find that you don't know, or suspect to be adware/spyware. Most times, this won't work because the programs don't offer uninstall files, but it's worth a try.

Completely Scanning...

In Windows XP, the System Restore function can sometime interfere with scanning your computer, because it keeps a record of exactly how your registry looks – it protects against stupid mistakes, but it ends up saving a record with adware and spyware on it.

If you want to play it safe, or have this problem, follow these helpful instructions:

  1. After updating AdAware and Spybot, right click My PC, and click on the Properties option.
  2. A box will pop up – go to System Restore, then disable it.
  3. Restart the computer, and as it is starting back up, hit F8 until you come to a list of options. Start the computer in Safe Mode.
  4. Run AdAware and Spybot as instructed, and delete all of the quarantined items, and empty your recycle bin (If you can't, don't sweat it).
  5. Follow number two again, but enable System Restore.
  6. Restart your computer like you always have

Just another tip to play it safe and secure.

Extra Links for Extra Safety

Anti-Spyware Test - this guide will test the capabilities of all spyware programs out there, including the ugliest it can find. It's informative, and worth a read if you're still not sure that keeping your computer safe is worth it.

Benjamin Edelman – This site publishes research about spyware, and it's extremely informative, and worth a look.