How to Fix Spyware

Computer users often confuse infection by computer viruses with infection by spyware. Spyware's primary purpose is to encourage you to do actions that result in viewing the application's generated ads. Many times, your computer becomes infected with Spyware through normal Internet surfing or through viewing multimedia files on websites. You can rid your computer of spyware and prevent future infections by maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software and enabling real-time virus scan protection on your computer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Download and install an anti-virus application such as Symantec or McAfee if one is not already installed. If you already have anti-virus program, update the virus and spyware definitions by selecting the File->Update Virus Definitions menu option in the anti-virus program.

2. Restart your computer in safe mode by depressing the F8 key multiple times during the rebooting process.

3. Run a complete scan of your computer's drives by selecting the Scan all local drives menu option in the anti-virus and spyware application. Select the Clean and Remove menu option in the file application menu for all infected files returned by the scan.

4. Complete another scan of your computer's drives to ensure all spyware has been removed by your anti-spyware program. If any infected files are discovered, repeat Step 3 until you get a complete scan of your computer completed with no infected files.

Tips & Warnings

• Before downloading or purchasing an anti-spyware tool, ensure that it has a real-time protection capability.

Resources

• Webroot's free virus and spyware scan
• Spyware-Fix's Anti-Spyware Tool
• Symantec Anti-Virus Software Download Site
• McAfee Anti-Virus Software Download Site