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To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
To your definitive resource for all computer related needs. We are here to help.
So you've gone and gotten yourself some pesky spyware, and now you need it gone. What you don't like all the porno pop ups? We've got you covered with our "Ultimate Spyware Removal Guide". There is no one way that works every time when it comes to something like spyware so we will try to provide a many pronged attack to kick that spyware out of your system.
If you don't already get a spyware removal tool, in fact get two or three. What I will do here is give you the steps I take, like them or not, it's what I do and it seems to work out pretty well. I should mention as I said above, there really is no "silver bullet" for spyware but these steps should help most people.
If you still have Internet do the following:
Go out to a trusted site like download.com and get at least two of the following spyware removal tools:
Adaware:
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?tag=pop....
Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?...
AVG Free
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142...
Now in most cases it is ok to simply install and remove at this point but I want to be very careful and show you the overall best way to do it. So just wait for step two.
If you are unable to connect to the Internet do the following:
You really have a few options, I mean with the vast majority of computers having cd-burners, and the amazing cheapness of USB memory sticks you may just need to shoot over to a friend's house and download the files.
If you don't have any friends, you'll most likely have to purchase some software from a place like best buy here are two I recommend:
Webroot Spysweeper
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7521979&st=spyware&lp=1&ty...
Spyware Doctor
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8520326&st=spyware&lp=7&ty...
Before you should install anything you should boot your computer into what is called safe mode. By booting into safe mode you minimize the chance of spyware messing with your install as well as lower the chance of reinfection, it's just the best way to do it. How you do this is:
Windows 98/Me
• Restart the computer.
• Just after the POST diagnostics and memory count, start pressing the F8 key
• On the Startup Menu, choose Safe Mode<
or you may use the System Configuration Utility Method.
• While in Normal mode, Close all programs.
• Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
• In the System Configuration Utility, on the General Tab, click the Advanced Button
• In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, check Enable Startup Menu. Click OK. Click OK again when the System Configuration Utility reappears.
• You will be prompted to restart the computer. Click Yes. The computer will restart in Safe mode.
• When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again and uncheck "Enable Start-up Menu." under the Advanced Menu, then click OK and restart your computer
Windows 2000
• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• When you see the black-and-white Starting Windows bar at the bottom of the screen, start tapping the F8 key. The Windows 2000 Advanced Options Menu appears.
• Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected. In most cases, it is the first item in the list and is selected by default.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
Windows XP
If Windows XP is the only operating system installed on your computer, booting into Safe Mode with these instructions.
• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
To use the System Configuration Utility method
• Close all open programs.
• Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
• The System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer when prompted.
• The computer restarts in Safe mode.
• Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open MSCONFIG again, on the BOOT.INI tab, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click OK to restart your computer
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is similar to Windows XP for starting in Safe Mode.
• Turn the computer on or Restart the computer
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Boot Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected (the top option)
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• When you are finished with troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
Now that you have got you computer into safe mode now is the time to install the spyware removal software. It doesn't matter which one you install first, the reason I have you do two different ones is because in my experience sometime one programs finds something the other one misses. Now does this mean to install 20 spyware removal tools, no, but 2-3 isn't bad. During the install the software will usually try to update unsuccessfully since you wont typically have Internet access in safe mode but that is fine. As long as your using something current it will have most of the definitions already preinstalled.
Once the spyware is removed, then just pick one of them to leave installed I usually recommend ad-aware, but whatever you like is just fine.
adaware from Be Your Own IT on Vimeo.
Video with Help Installing Ad-Aware
Once you have installed and updated the software it is time to get busy cleaning out that stinky spyware. Make sure if possible that you always do a "complete" scan not just a quick one if you really want to fix the issue. If you just do the quick version you will most likely miss many infected files and it will be unlikely you cure the problem. Whichever program you are using, start the scan it is usually pretty self-explanatory. Be prepared for this to take a while.
Odds are the program will a range from just one infected file to many thousands, it just depends, but with spyware, delete it all. Here is where a lot of people with weaker stomachs get a little nervous but to me I go with the scorched earth approach. With spyware, you have to be a lot less careful than with a virus. Delete them all permanently.
After you have completed these steps with one program repeat the steps after installing the second scanning program. The second program is just for good measure, you don't have to do it but I just like to be complete. For me, nothing was worse than missing a file or two, charging a customer for a repair only for the spyware to come right back that night. Sometimes if you miss even one file the spyware will come right back.
Now that you have successfully (hopefully) removed the spyware infection make sure to take some time to learn from your mistake. Be a little more careful with your browsing, and remember many times free software isn't so free. If you have any questions at all about this process make sure to email us at support@beyourownit.com and spread the word!
If you have any other questions make sure to check out our forum, videos, and more!