How to Remove Dialer Spyware
A "dialer" program is a specific type of spyware software that attempts to access a remote server by dialing a phone number from your computer. The program then downloads other files to your machine. Dialers are most dangerous to computers that are a using dial-up Internet connection because the numbers they dial are generally in other countries and can end up giving you a massive phone bill. If your computer has been infected with a dialer, you can remove it with an anti-spyware utility, but you will need to prevent the dialer from accessing the remote server.
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Instructions
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Go to the Spybot Search and Destroy utility page if you don't already have a similar anti-spyware program installed on your computer. Download the Spybot installation file, then follow the on-screen installation instructions.
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Restart your computer. Wait for the logo of your computer's manufacturer to pop up on the screen. Press the "F8" key continuously until a new set of menu options appears.
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Select the "Safe Mode" option, then press the "Enter" key. Bring up your anti-spyware utility as soon as the operating system finishes loading.
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Run the anti-spyware utility's updating feature by clicking on the "Update" icon. Click on any of the download locations from the list that will appear, then click on "Download." Wait for the most recent spyware detection information to finish downloading to your computer.
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Disconnect your computer from its Internet connection to make sure the dialer cannot attempt to connect to its remote server while you are removing it. Unplug your modem, or remove the phone cord or Ethernet cable from the back of your computer.
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Click on the "Check For Problems" button at the top of the anti-spyware utility's window. Wait for the spyware scan to finish, then click on "Remove Selected Problems."
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Close the anti-spyware utility, then reconnect your computer to its Internet source. Restart your computer to finish the dialer removal process.
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Tips & Warnings
It's a good idea to update your anti-spyware utility and run a full system scan once each week to prevent any further spyware from infection your system.
Dialers are frequently spread through email attachments and files downloaded from adult websites. Make sure to scan any file you download before opening it and only download files from sources that you trust.
References
Resources
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