How to beat spyware, step-by-step (Part 1)
Mon Aug 7, 2006 2:09PM EDT
See Comments (67)
I've had so many readers email me of late with spyware problems that I figured a detailed tutorial on how to get rid of it was in order.
Got spyware? Here's how I handle infestations, step by step. (You might want to bookmark this page... just in case.)
1) Boot in safe mode. You can get to safe mode (a simplified version of Windows that disables a lot of extra gunk, possibly including some spyware apps) by restarting your PC and tapping F8 during boot. Soon you'll get a menu of options. Select "Safe Mode" (it's at the top of the menu) and wait for the machine to fully boot. The system will look funny (with a black background and larger icons, probably), but don't worry about it. This is only temporary. (Also note that some very nasty spyware applications can disable safe mode, so if you find this doesn't work, just boot normally.)
2) Run your antivirus application. This is of course assuming you have an antivirus application. You're in safe mode now, so run a full scan of your PC at maximum security levels (include the option to scan within compressed files, for example). This will probably take an hour or more, so be patient. Fix any problems the virus scan turns up. Reboot into safe mode again using the procedure in step 1.
3) Run two anti-spyware applications (or more). Not all anti-spyware apps will find all spyware infections, so you really have to use more than one. I run SpyBot and AdAware (both are free), and if you have a third application, go ahead and run it too. The more the merrier. Of course, fix anything and everything the apps find.
4) Reboot normally. (Not in safe mode.) Now take stock. Still got spyware? It's time to move along to my more advanced techniques for removing the nasties.
Continued in Part 2...
Top 5 Posts
More About Security
Comments on How to beat spyware, step-by-step (Part 1)
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
27 Posted by kutekrayzkat on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Can you recommend a good registry cleaner & which is free too?
-
28 Posted by copperhaired_maiden on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse
I don't run any anti-virus or spyware programs. I run a progran called StartUp Inspector frequently to see what's loaded when my computer starts. HP and Microsoft Office and just about every other software that is loaded onto my PC tries to run some program in the background that steals bandwidth. Now to spy/ad ware. These guys usually load a program at startup that runs in the background and slows you down or locks you up completely )(in some cases.) I have found them impossible to remove, but I can always tell when my computer has been hijacked by running StartUp Inspector. There is always some program running that I didn't allow. No matter how hard I try, it usually cannot be removed without re-formatting my hard drive. These days, with larger and larger flashdrives, I do not keep any data on my hard drive so reformatting is not a trauma. Now then, it has been 18 months since I had to reformat my hard drive because I am carefull about where I go on the internet and I filter everything that comes into my email with filters. I keep a Yahoo address and forward emails with attachments to yahoo then open them. Yahoo scan all attachments for viruses. I crunch a lot of numbers and I don't like anything to slow my system or steal bandwith. That's why I won't allow HP, or Microsoft, or Quickbooks, or any other software to run anything in the background. And hey, if you find a program you like and it works for you, why won't you pay something for it? Someone spent a lot of time and effort writing the code and making sure it works. For everyone who just wants freebies,,, well, you usually get what you pay for. By the way, StartUp Inspector is free but takes donations. It's a good programs and they creator deserves to be paid. Sam
-
29 Posted by ir_kr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse
I *love* PC's; their crappiness assures endless work and income for my techy husband. The extra cash is great for things like... our iBook and iMac, which never have all those problems so he doesn't have to continuing working when he gets home.
-
30 Posted by mirella_b2005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:21PM EDT Report Abuse
Very easy,just don't use Explorer!Mozzila is free,cute and easy to customize at your own taste.
-
31 Posted by aproplumb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse
One Program you may want to try using is Panda Internet Security 2007, at least the trial version. It will update one time then configure it and run a full scan. I have fixed computers loaded with malware using this anti-virus (ver. 2006). They also now have an anti-root kit, it was hard to fine when it first came out but is now readily available. Just go to www.pandasoftware.com, the anti-root kit is @ http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/antirootkit/
-
32 Posted by dabears2002chi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse
spyware, adware are a waste of space on you computer. dont run them you don't need them as long as you have the latest update for windows. also dont run norton it eats up a ton of memory on your computer. my sugestion avg. cc cleaner is another great program too.
-
33 Posted by richarddelightful on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:39PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd also recommend you get a program like Snoop, which detects keyloggers and screen readers). These are programs that can read your typing (including credit card numbers, etc) directly from your keyboard. If you run into problems, like the keys won't repeat when you hold them down, you just have to loosen up security for those selected programs. I wouldn't recommend loosening up security for normal program that you have no problem with.
-
34 Posted by a_honky_with_skillz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:00PM EDT Report Abuse
adaware by lavasoft is free http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007-Free/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 but just so any one reading this understands the free version is limited..not fully capapble of everything paid version offers here is the best there is right now for spyware http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html this is also a paid versionand free version the free version does not offer REALTIME PROTECTION it will scan...AND REMOVE all known threats this is very nice if u are infected with virus check this out http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml when u start pc in safe mode...it only loads the programs that are needed for windows to boot sometimes...u have to go to start..run..type in msconfig...press enter..in new windows ..select startup....u will see a list with checkmarks i would goole each one...(or just disable all, until pc is clean) that way it does not start when pc is started
-
35 Posted by laq1975 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
the mcafee suite doesn't protect us from this kind of zombie spyware,only the program list at www.stopsign.com I've test my computer with windows defender and zombie was not detect,again I scan my computer with mcafee security suite with all new updates and nothing happen. I visited www.stopsign.com and downloaded there program and themn I install it on my computer,and I found out everything that was wrong with computer. P.S. Mcafee should combine forces with stopsign people.
-
36 Posted by hotspiceymexicancowgirl2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse
Ok heres the guestion, how many of you defrig use disk clean up once a week and than delete cookie offine temps and history before you scan everyday after surfing the web? it has kept my PC working in excellent condition for the past 5 years
-
37 Posted by hotspiceymexicancowgirl2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse
BTW I use ad-aware anti-vir and spybot and they are all free
-
38 Posted by pyrotechnic67 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:23PM EDT Report Abuse
I run AVG by Grisoft, Windows Beta Defender, Adaware, and SpyBot (I'm not at my home computer right now(!), but think I got the names right), all for free, the four of them seem to give good all around protection.
-
39 Posted by lorris23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:57PM EDT Report Abuse
How can you run two anti- spyware programs when major companies like McAffee state that all spyware programs will cause conflicts if used with their programs? I had spywareblaster and went to McAffee's site and it was listed as an incompatible program, along with, from what I could tell, all other anti-spyware programs. I had problems with my computer reporting that my antivirus program was not running. I figured spywareblaster was the problem and uninstalled it.
-
40 Posted by pranab_das2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse
Hi, I have suspicion that there is some malware/rootkit running on my system. Is there any way to detect it? I have the following problems. 1 Can not connect to secure sites (https does not work -for both IE and firefox)I followed every instruction in MSDN KB how to fix it. But did not work. 2 Sometimes I notice, that a when I click on a link (after a google search), it is redirected to some other sale/marketing web site. I ran AVG, did find some Trojan and removed them. But I still have the problems above. Any suggestions
-
41 Posted by h100series@pacbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse
The product Spybot isn't worth much either. It slows the computer down to a practical stand still after the first attempt of locking up initially after trying to back up the registry. Useless top heavy software that does nothing. I'll stick with Zone Alarm which is not free but not that expensive at $19.95 a year.
-
42 Posted by h100series@pacbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse
Also how do you contact these people like "Christopher Nullwhom" thing they know so much and post information that is false? Who appointed these so called experts?
-
43 Posted by ibmisblue on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse
Whoah!! Step is not exactly good advice. I'll explain. The two anti-spyware programs he recommended are good, however there are scammers out there that claim to offer spyware protection and they either do one of the following: 1) Infect your PC with spyware and then tell you it was there the whole time and then charge you to upgrade so you can remove it. 2) Flat out just infect you with a Trojan or Keylogger and try to get your information to anything they can. So step 3 is okay, however you should be careful what you download. Just because it says it's anti-spyware doesn't mean that it is. I would investigate the site before downloading. Check with http://www.siteadvisor.com or visit http://www.DeBog.com
-
44 Posted by anteup7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse
Is this article really legit? There's so many scams out there until its not funny no more. Im like dante666, this info makes you kind of wonder.
-
45 Posted by izlatin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse
I have been in the computer repair field for more than 15 yrs now. I see many people coming in with spyware problems, and computers which are running very slowly. Most of these PS's have Norton's or Mcafee's Internet protection packages on them. DO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY. They will rob your computers resources, and in most cases not provide you with any more protection against "hacking" as the included Windows firewall. Some companies offer free online scans. Use them, they work great. Not only will they locate any problems such as viruses, spyware, and even security vunerabilities, they will correct them, free of charge. This is a better alternative than installing a bunch of software on your computer. Check out Trendmicro's Housecall which is located @ www.trendmicro.com, or panda's comperable online software scan. You must understand that nothing is going to be 100% failsafe. Be selective on what you download. Free items online usually have some sort of attached cookie, and it is imperative that you always read the disclaimer prior to clicking the yes button. In most cases you end up not just downloading the free program, but the a added stuff which comes from their sponsors. I hope this helps - Happy Computing
Sponsored Links
My Tech
Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.
Also on Yahoo! Tech
| Computers | Home Office | Wi-Fi & Networking | Phones & PDAs | Cameras & Camcorders | TV & Home Theater | Portable Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26 Posted by gbriggs12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse
What to do if you run XP: Boot normally, type "msconfig" in the start- run box that pops up (the command line). Hit enter, then go to the "Startup" tab and look at all the wonderful stuff that loads up with your machine. Unclick all the arrows and save that setting. Reboot your machine. Anything that is still there with the arrows rechecked is probably bad stuff.