Learning How to Fix / Detect / Remove Spyware problem is important since often there may be no sign that a computer has been infected by spyware, until the user realizes that important financial information is stolen. It is often difficult to distinguish whether there is a virus problem or it is caused by spyware. Unlike viruses, spyware does not self
replicate.
Some of the signs that your
computer is infected by spyware is:
1. You see new toolbars, which you have not installed and pop-ups suddenly
appear while surfing the internet.
2. Your browser crashes without any reason
3. Your computer becomes very slow
4. Your home page is changed
without your knowledge.
5. No computer security
6. Bandwidth count even when you are not surfing internet. etc
How to fix it:
If there is a problem which could be caused either by spyware or a virus ,
it is advisable to first run an antivirus
program and then run the anti-spyware program.
Get a free antispyware program.
Some of the free antispyware programs available are:
1. Ad-Aware SE Personal from
Lavasoft in Google Pack. Free updates and computer has to be scanned manually.
2. Windows Defender (Beta 2) - removes known spyware from the
computer
3. Ewido anti-spyware and
anti-malware (merged with Grisoft)- now known as AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5, full
version is free for 30 days, basic version remains free.
4. Spybot
- Search and Destroy - it can also clean usage tracks, which is useful if
you are sharing your computer
Download the anti spyware software to your computer hard disk and install
the software. Get the latest updates from the companies website. For Ad-Aware
SE Personal, a new update with the latest definitions is usually available
every 15 days.
Run the anti spyware software. If any spyware or malware is detected,
the anti spyware software will ask you if you wish to remove it. Cookies are
also removed, so you may have to login again.
If it fails to remove- try another antivirus or spyware or do it manually.
System Restore, when
antivirus and Spyware remover software does not work
To prevent spyware and malware
problems in future
1. Install a firewall to protect
your computer when you connect to the internet. If you do not wish to purchase
a firewall software, enable the default Windows firewall.
2. Most spyware is written for
Windows Internet Explorer and by using a browser like Mozilla Firefox, this
problem can be avoided.
3. Download software only from
reputable sources, file sharing software like Kazaa is distributed with
spyware.
4. Avoid joining paid to (PT) ,
adult , file sharing and other illegal websites, these computers of
visitors to these websites usually get infected with malware and spy
ware.
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