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Detect and Remove Spyware
Spyware is software that monitor's your web useage, creates pop up ads, and/or hijacks your web browser (redirecting your web browser to a specific Internet address). Other symptoms of spyware is very slow web browsing, inability to connect to the Internet, a change of the homepage and extra toolbars added to your web browser. If your system exhibits these symptoms we recommend you install and run a program(s) to remove spyware from your computer. Be careful - many software programs claiming to remove spyware actually can generate pop-up ads, hijack your web browser and cause other problems. Check Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites for some of these bogus spyware removal programs.
Spyware is often installed to your computer without your knowledge when you install file sharing programs such as Kazaa, WinMx, Limewire, Morpheus, original versions of Napster, web toolbar utilities, lottery programs (iwon.com), and casino gambling programs, etc. We do not recommend installing these applications because of the severe problems they can create on your system.
Some established spyware applications with good reputations:
Removal (Clean-up)
- Spybot - the most popular freeware spyware detection and removal application.
- Ad-aware - Lavasoft's freeware spyware detection program is available for home use but not university owned machines. More advanced pay versions are available.
- Pest Patrol - A commercial spyware application to detect and eliminate spyware. Pestscan, by the makers of Pest Patrol, only detects spyware - purchase Pest Patrol to remove detected spyware.
After installing a spyware removal application update the spyware definitions so the application can detect and fix problems caused by newer spyware. Please read the instructions from the spyware removal software vendor's web site. In many cases, you may need to run a multitude of spyware programs to detect and remove all the spyware.
Protection
- SpywareBlaster can prevent the installation of spyware; however it cannot remove spyware or pests.
- SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware; however it cannot remove spyware or pests.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides much of the same protection as Spyware Blaster and Spyware guard; therefore, if you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed you do not need to install Spyware Blaster and Spyware guard.
What to Do When Spyware cannot Be Removed
If spyware cannot be removed and is causing severe problems you may need to back up your data and perform a clean installation of Microsoft Windows to your hard drive. We suggest you contact your local technical support staff for assistance. Basic steps for this procedure are provided below:
- Backup your important data to media.
- Reformat (erase) the computer hard drive.
- Reinstall the Microsoft Windows operating system from the original media or use the System Restore CD's that came with your computer to restore your system to it's original configuration.
- Reinstall your applications from the original media (CD's or DVD's).
- Apply all security patches, updates, install virus software as specified in this document.
- Restore your data from your backup media.
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Additional Resources
- Protect Your PC - A guide from Microsoft
- BlockLists - Ad blocking resources
- Net- Integration - How did I Get Infected
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Last Modified: 22 Oct 2004
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