How To Remove Spyware

What is Spyware ?

According to Wikipedia "spyware is a computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent."

A good example of spyware is a program that alert you with a system tray notification that you have spyware in your computer and ask you to click on the notification to remove it. Clicking on it will take you to a website where you can install a software. The software will find a virus which is actually installed by the software itself and will ask you to pay an amount to remove the virus.

What do they do ?

So what is the aim of spyware? In the above example the program is made so that the producers can make money from inexperienced users. They are also made to collect personal informations or for taking you to a specific website or just for nothing.

Spyware can cause you to lose money or cause problems in your computer and can annoy you till you get mad. So you definitely don't want them in your computer.

How to remove them

If you have continues pop-ups or some of your computer's functionality disabled or programs removed without your knowledge and consent, in most cases it is a spyware and you should try this removal methods.

1. Install Spybot-S&D
   
Spybot is the best antispyware I have ever used and the good thing is, it is free. I have tried many anti-spyware including paid ones, but I prefer Spybot. It has a good threat scanner and security shield called TeaTimer. It displays details on each security threat it finds while scanning. You can download it here. If you are not sure about this, you can search for 'top antispyware' and see that Spybot is one of them.

After downloading the software, install it and do a scan. If you have spyware in your pc, most probably Spybot will detect them. The name of the spyware will be displayed and information about them is also available. Click 'Fix Selected Items' after the scan to remove the programs. If restart is asked in More Information section, restart your computer. After restarting do the scan once again to make sure spybot has removed them completely. If you still have spyware, continue with next steps.

If nothing was found while scanning, there is a chance this is not spyware, but something like an error.
 

2. Install an Antivirus
You can select your favorite antivirus. A top antivirus list is available here, for you to decide which one to use. I am using AVG 7.5 Free version. AVG also have an Antispyware software which has lot of analyzing tools but is not good at scanning. I have tried many other antiviruses, but AVG works best for me. You can download and install free version of AVG antivirus here. Install it, update the database and do a whole computer scan. It may find and remove malware from your pc. 


3. Download Combofix and run it
You can download and get the official instructions for Combofix here. It is advised that you should not run Combofix without the supervision of a trained person. If your Antivirus and Spybot can't remove the problem, you may need to use Combofix. I have used it in my computer and in my friends' and has worked perfectly. Still, it is good to get someone who has experience to help you or you can skip this step (i actually prefer not to skip, but I don't want you to be in further problems). "Do it" in your own risk.

Not fixed still?

If Spybot hasn't found any spyware and doing the three steps is not solving the problem, It may not be a spyware, you have to find fix for the specific problem.

If Spybot found something and hasn't removed it still (do a scan once again), search for the name of the spyware (provided by Spybot) using a search engine. If you couldn't find any way to remove it, post your problem in the Official Spybot forum which is filled with experts. I am sure you will get a fix there.

Prevention is better than cure

Yes, it is lot better to prevent spyware from getting inside your computer than removing it. I thought I have to list some prevention methods here.

1. Update Your Software
   
Old versions of software may contain security loop holes which allow all types of malware to enter your computer. Software like Java is an easy route for many spyware to enter your computer when not updated. Don't forget to update your Operating System frequently.


2. Keep AVG and Spybot and Update them
If you don't have AVG and Spybot, I will highly recommend you to do that now. Update these software once per week (I prefer Sunday) and scan your whole computer using them. Use the Immunize feature of Spybot after each update to prevent installation of Spyware.


3. Know What You are Downloading
Lots of spyware and viruses can enter your computer if you download files from internet carelessly. Make sure it is safe to download from a website before you do.


4. Surf Safely
   
Spyware can enter your computer without being noticed by you. You have to be careful when you are surfing the internet. Use Search Engines with security scan (like Yahoo!). Websites with Adult content may have malware hidden in them. Domains like .info and .hk are known for having lots of websites which host malware. So, be careful while visiting websites with those domains!


5. Use a More Secure Browser
Internet Explorer is target for many spyware and malware. Think switching to more secure browsers like Firefox. Firefox has recently launched more secure and efficient Version 3 and it is the most used browser currently.

LET ME KNOW YOUR FEEDBACK IN COMMENTS OR SEND A MAIL TO JASEEMUMER AT GMAIL DOT COM. YOU CAN VISIT MY WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.JASEEMUMER.COM.

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T HAVE ANY INTENTION TO HURT YOU. I AM CURRENTLY USING THE REMOVAL METHODS AND SOFTWARE REFERRED HERE WITHOUT AN PROBLEM AND HAVEN'T CAUSED ME ANY ISSUES. STILL, YOU MAY USE IT ON YOUR OWN RISK AND I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THEM.