How to Identify Tracking Software on a PC

Spyware, Viruses, Malware, and Cookies; there are so many forms of tracking software on the market that it can often be hard to keep up with their types, let alone figure out how to determine if they're installed on your computer. Luckily there are a few programs you can use and various approaches you can take to determine if tracking software is installed on your computer.

Instructions

Installing and Running Virus Scan

1. Visit the AVG website and download the Free AVG Software. This is a virus scan program that can be used to find tracking software, such as Trojan viruses which track user information. See the Resources section below.

2. Double-click on the AVG download once it's saved to your computer, and then follow the default setup steps. There is no need to do a custom installation at this time.

3. Update your "Virus Definitions" once the program is installed. To do this you'll simply open the AVG program from the shortcut on your desktop and then click the "Update" link on the left side of the program. Wait for the program to update and then click on the "System Scan" option to begin your system scan.

4. Visit the Virus database as your system finds viruses. This AVG provided database is including in our reference section at the bottom of the page and includes information about the viruses your scan finds. You can learn by typing in the virus name whether or not it is a piece of tracking software or something entirely different.

Find Tracking Software Using Spyware Removal Tools

1. Visit the Lavasoft website and download the free version of Ad-Aware. We recommend the free version for first time users. The free version is located in our resource section at the bottom of the page.

2. Double-click on the download and allow the program to run the standard default installation. Once completed, launch the program and click on the "Update" link on the left side of the page. Allow the program to install any new spyware definitions.

3. Click on the "Scan" link on the left side of the page and ask the program to complete a "Full System Scan." This will allow your system to scan not only files, but also your system's registry.

4. Look at the files that appear as "Threats" which will display once the program has completed your system scan or when you tell it to "Stop" the scan. All of these files are tracking software since that's the nature of Spyware.

Check Your Browsers "Cookies" To Find More Software

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the folder that stores your cookies.

2. 

   Firefox users will go to "Tools" at the top of the page, followed by "Options." Next, click on the "Privacy" tab and then click on the "Show Cookies" button. You can now see all of the cookies on your computer. Cookies track information about users and can be set by your browser to be accepted or denied. Many login pages require cookies so the site knows you are logged in.

3. Internet Explorer users should go to "Tools" followed by "Internet Options," and then press "Settings" under the browsing history section. Next click on "View Files," which lists all temporary files including your IE cookies.

4. Check with your browser's official web page if you are not using Internet Explorer or Firefox. They will be able to explain how to find your cookies.

References

• Firefox Cookie Finding Tutorial

Resources

• Free AVG - Virus Scan Software
• AVG Virus Database
• Ad-Aware Free Version