How to Remove Spyware Keyloggers

Spyware describes a kind of program that interferes with a computer's function in some negative way, or that spies on the user for an outside party. A spyware keylogger is a type of program that logs the keys that the user types during the day. This means that any password or personal information, including credit card numbers, social security numbers, addresses, or anything else that is typed into the keyboard can be recorded by one of these programs and then sent to its creator without the user's knowledge. Unless these programs are removed, the user's private information could be used against him.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Go to an anti-spyware program website, such as for Ad-aware (See Resources),and download the program to your desktop.

2. Install the program by double-clicking on the install file that will now be visible on your desktop.

3. Update the program by clicking on the Web Update button on the menu on the left, and then on the Update button on the subsequent screen.

4. Perform a scan by clicking on "Scan Now." You can choose between a smart scan and a full scan. A full scan will take considerably longer, but it's a good option if you want to be sure you find the keylogger. Once you've chosen the option you want, hit the Scan button to have your computer look for keyloggers and other threats.

5. Look over the results after the scan finishes. You can click between "critical objects" and "privacy objects" for threats to your computer. Once you've found a threat that's labeled as "keylogger," click on it, and then click the Remove button to eliminate the threat.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to scan periodically for threats like keyloggers, as you never know when you may have been infected with one.

Resources

• Ad-Aware