How to Find Surveillance Spyware for Your Home Computer

"Spyware" is a term used to describe malicious software that is downloaded from the Internet to a computer without the user's consent. Spyware is categorized as a type of surveillance software. The worst offenders could be copying important information, such as credit card and social security numbers, and sending them off to a third party. Even the most harmless spyware can still slow down your computer. Luckily, finding surveillance spyware on your home computer is easy with the help of specialized programs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Connection

1. Download anti-spyware software from the Internet. A number of companies, such as Microsoft and Lavasoft (See References) offer free spyware protection software that will not only remove spyware already on your computer, but keep new traces of the malicious software from appearing at all. While some companies charge money for their software, there are more than a few viable free alternatives.

2. Install whichever anti-spyware program you've chosen to download.

3. Update your spyware definitions. Go into the settings menu of the anti-spyware program you've chosen to download and select "Update." This will connect your computer with the servers at the company that produced the software and download current information on all the newest types of spyware. New spyware is being released every day on the Internet, so it is important to keep your software updated.

4. Perform a full system scan. This will scan every file on your computer and your registry for instances of spyware. If located, the infected files will be quarantined so that they are unable to execute themselves or use your computer's network. At this point, you can keep them quarantined or choose to delete them from your hard drive. It is important to perform a full system scan at least once a week to make sure your computer is constantly free from spyware.

References

• Windows Defender
• Ad-Aware by Lavasoft