How to beat spyware, step-by-step (Part 1)

Mon Aug 7, 2006 2:09PM EDT

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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...

Comments on How to beat spyware, step-by-step (Part 1)

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  • 1 Posted by robert2005post on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Excellent advice, and it works, but with a twist. When I ran AdWare in safe mode, it did not detect "parasites". However, when I ran it again in regular mode, it found 6 parasites. AdWare then offered to quarantine them if I registered the program for $19.95, which I did. Another un-named service I subscribe to (at a higher price) never detected these bugs. You're right Christopher, more than one virus scanner is needed to get the job done!

  • 2 Posted by dan_cc_361 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    You made a common mistake Robert. AdAware is 100% free. Adware is not. You downloaded a program written to look like AdAware. AdAware cost nothing, and constantly scores high marks in anti-spy comparisons. My girlfriend recently registered for financial aide at a site that looked identical to the goverment site. It's domain name was Fasfa.com, where as the gov. site is Fafsa.com. The site let her fill in all her info, then asked for money to register her for financial aide. This is a common scam that everyone should be aware of.

  • 3 Posted by getubig on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    After the countless freebie spyware programs and nothing working, I ended up getting CounterSpy featured in PC World. It works and I also use Mozilla as a browser. If I need to run Explorer, then I make sure that I run a scan at the end of the night with Counterspy.

  • 4 Posted by dantes666 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    And considering it found them in regular mode and not in safe mode makes me wonder how legitimate the program really is. Could be you could have been scammed.

  • 5 Posted by lizabethj3847 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    what is spyware and how do viruses and parasites affect computers?

  • 6 Posted by parthopk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    I run CCleaner and Adaware one after the other at the end of each browsing session. Works great.

  • 7 Posted by bsmith13421 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I also recomend adaware and spy bot i also will if a computer is realy infested run the avg spyware wich is also free from grisoft.com

  • 8 Posted by marishgrinn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hi, What good anti-virus-ware would you recommend? I have a Mac iBook 3 laptop and a Windows operating PC desktop. MG

  • 9 Posted by mrrwkn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have not tried every thing you say yet.but before i try your way i,ll explain my problem so you can see what i have in my computer.when ever i try to download my ethernet and dsl begin flashing and when i go to anything that has the word microsoft in it it blocks me out.for instance it will not let me activate my windows it tells me i must fill acode number deal like winxp does this its says is to make sure i have genuine xp i do i,ve had it 5yrs.if i try to run a copy through again it does not get rid of my problem.i have used adaware and some other free antispy cleaners they do not help.i ask questions and answers if it is a keylogger they told me no.can you explain what i might have.and if you can me fix it.i,m senior retired on fix income so i can not afford all those expensive antispy downloads i have trie all the free ones i could find it did not help,i have only a 20ghard drive and win xp.i mostly like to play games and read what i can find there so much,my best email is kenney81@hotmail.com....my name is ken morrow i live in edmonton alberta canada.

  • 10 Posted by effendyteo86 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have Norton antivirus and 3 antispywares. AdAware SE, FBM ZeroSpyware, and SpywareDoctor. But what is the different running the antispywares in safe mode and in not safe mode??? they still scan dont they???

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