-
Step 1
Use this popular diagnostic tool to not only detect and remove adware programs, but also to remove system processes running in the background that may be causing an adware infection.
-
Step 2
Download HijackThis to a folder of its own on your PC (see Resources below). Reserve this folder specifically for HijackThis. Install the program to your PC.
-
Step 3
Open HijackThis. Click the button that reads "None of the above, just start the program." This will take you to the main HijackThis screen. Check the option labeled "Make backups before fixing items." This will back up anything you choose to delete so you will be able to restore it if you later decide you need to.
-
Step 4
Do a complete system scan. Once the scan is complete, HijackThis will present you with a log of all the potentially dangerous applications and processes on your PC. Click on the button labeled "SAVE LOG" to save this log file.
-
Step 5
Use the Online HiJackThis Analyzer tool to analyze your logs (see Resources below). Simply copy and paste the complete log into the HiJackThis Analyzer.
-
Step 6
Take note of the log entries that are identified as harmful. To delete these harmful log entries, place a check mark against the specific application or process, and then click "Fix Checked."
-
Step 1
Download Ad-Aware 2007 and install it to your computer. Open the installed program by double-clicking the icon created on your desktop. A registration screen should appear. Click "Cancel" to bypass this screen (see Resources below).
-
Step 2
Click the "Web Update" button to download the latest malware definitions. After the update completes, click "OK" to go back to the Ad-Aware status screen.
-
Step 3
Click the "Scan" button to begin a system scan. Select the "Full Scan option" to scan your entire hard drive. Ad-Aware will now scan your computer for any adware programs.
-
Step 4
Click the "Select All Objects" option and select "Remove or Quarantine. " Click "Finish" to complete the process.
-
Step 1
Download Spybot Search and Destroy and install it to your computer (see Resources below). Double-click the Spybot Search and Destroy icon to start the installation.
-
Step 2
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. At the screen named "Select Addition Tasks," make sure to check the option labeled "Use system settings protection (Tea Timer)." This will provide real-time protection against unauthorized registry changes. Complete the installation wizard.
-
Step 3
Double-click the Spybot desktop icon to open the program. Select the option labeled "Create registry backup." Click "Next." On the next screen, you will be asked to download updates.
-
Step 4
Click "Search for updates" and download any needed updates. Click "Next." On the next screen, click "Immunize this system" to prevent Internet Explorer from downloading from any malicious programs.
-
Step 5
Click "Next" to proceed. Your settings have now been configured, and you can scan your computer for any malicious programs.
-
Step 6
Open Spybot Search and Destroy and click "Check for Problems." After the program scans your computer, click "Fix selected problems."
