How to Eliminate Active Spyware
Spyware is malware, or malicious software, that hooks onto your computer system to record and steal information that it sends back to its creator using your Internet connection. In some cases active spyware controls your computer system, preventing you from changing desktop backgrounds, opening the Task Manager, and using your system to the fullest extent. It's important to prevent spyware from getting onto your machine but even more crucial to stop and eliminate active spyware.
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Instructions
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Stop your current Internet and computer activities if possible. Download and install an anti-malware program that is known within the computer protection industry for getting rid of spyware and viruses effectively; Malwarebytes' Anti-malware program is an example recommended by PC World and TopTenReviews.
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Disable your Internet connection to cut off the spyware's communication line.
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Remove any files that have been infected with spyware if you know what they are. Many active spyware gives clues as to the programs in which they're hidden; strange pop-up messages listing .dll errors is an example. Delete all strange icons on your desktop, as some spyware will add programs to your computer. Look for unusual programs that you have not installed in your Add/Remove programs utility; uninstall the ones that appear suspicious.
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Remove spyware-infested DLL (dynamic link library) files via the command prompt box. To do this, you'll need to know the full path or name to the DLL file you need to delete. In most Windows environments you can type this command to unregister and delete the infested DLL file: "regsvr32 /u C:\filepath\filename.dll" where "filepath" and "filename" are placeholders for the specific directory location and name of the spyware-infested file you need to eliminate.
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Run the anti-malware program you've downloaded and installed if your manual efforts did not fully work; this program should find all major evidence of the active spyware and stop it in its tracks. Open the program and choose the options to scan your computer for spyware and viruses. Leave your computer as this process can often take several minutes or longer depending on the particular software being used and how deep in your hard drive or registry it is scanning. Remove all malicious files that the anti-malware program finds and lists in its results after it is finished scanning.
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Look for signs of the spyware infestation on your computer to determine if it has been eliminated. Check to make sure that all suspicious programs are gone and that you're not receiving any pop-up error messages. Run any other antivirus programs you have installed on your computer if the threat still remains active. Enable your Internet connection once again. Post on computer help forums such as Tech Support Guy or PCTechBytes if you still need help removing the spyware.
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Tips & Warnings
Boot your computer in "Safe Mode" if the spyware has taken control of some parts of your computer; safe mode should allow you to run anti-malware programs without interference from the spyware.
