How to check your computer for Spyware for free

What is spyware? It is a software program that is installed on your computer without your knowledge and is used to retrieve personal information. It may be a simple as tracking your internet habits and using that information for advertising purposes. However, spyware could retrieve personal information like addresses, phone numbers, credit cards, etc. There are free programs available that can help you to remove spyware and protect your computer from future infections.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• computer
• internet access

1. Go to www.lavasoft.com. Download the free version of AdAware for your operating system.
2. Run the update to get the latest definitions. Make sure you configure the program for automatic updates so your computer is protected.
3. Run a full scan on the system. Remove any spyware or tracking cookies that come up as a risk. Run a full scan once a week.
4. Review the software's documentation in the help menu to determine what other features are available to protect your computer. Configure your settings to take advantage of these features.