How to Tell If You Have Spyware on Your Computer

Spyware is malicious software installed on a computer without the owner's knowledge or consent. Spyware monitors your computer usage. It can record your keystrokes, attempt to capture your user information at sensitive sites and send this information to people who shouldn't know it. Sometimes spyware is used for legitimate means, such as monitoring an employee's computer usage in an office. Anti-virus software does not always pick up spyware programs, so you need to use antivirus software with spyware scanning capabilities or an anti-spyware program specifically.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with spyware scanner

Instructions

1. Open your spyware scanning software. Some spyware scanning software runs in the background at all times, and has a system tray icon you can click. Other spyware programs need to be opened through "Start" and "All Programs."

2. Click the "Update" option on your spyware scanning software. New types of spyware come out often, so keeping your spyware definitions up to date ensures the highest amount of security you can manage.

3. Click "Scan." The scanning process varies depending on the specific type of spyware scanning you're using. Generally, you can choose several options such as the drive to scan, quick and indepth scanning, scanning scheduling and other test options. Once the spyware scanner has completed its task, it displays all potential spyware on your computer. Remove the spyware programs as directed by the program.

References

• Microsoft: Windows Defender: Scan Your Computer Using Windows Defender
• Lavasoft: How do I Remove Detected Objects After a Scan?