How to See If Someone Is Spying on Your Computer
For many of us, a computer is an essential tool in our personal and business lives. We often use computers to store sensitive information or to access private information online. Predatory users and/or websites often try to install or download software that records the information on your computer in order to steal it. If you suspect that your computer has a spyware program installed because it exhibits unusual behavior such as running abnormally slow, run an anti-virus application or use the System Configuration utility in Windows to find and delete the program.
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Instructions
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System Configuration
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1
Click "Start," then type "System Configuration" in the search box.
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2
Double-click "System Configuration" in the results list, then click the "Startup" tab.
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3
Scroll through the list of startup items and record the names of any applications that you don't recognize. Use a search engine to find the description of each application.
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4
Clear the check boxes next to the applications described as key loggers or spyware in the search engine, then click "Apply" and "OK."
Anti-Virus Software
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5
Download, install and launch your anti-virus software. Windows Defender is part of the Windows 7 operating system; AVG Free, Avira and Avast are three well-known free products available online. There are also numerous products available for purchase.
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6
Update the software to get the latest definitions, then click the "Scan Now" or "Run Scan" button depending on the application. The program scans the operating system for any unusual software and files. Any spyware or key logger software should be revealed after the scan.
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7
Click the "Delete" or "Remove Programs" button to remove the software from your computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you have a firewall installed and updated on your computer.
References
Resources
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