No one wants spyware on their computer. It’s invasive, often bothersome, and it can even lead to identity theft or stolen money.
One of the most difficult problems when it comes to removing spyware from a computer is that it so rarely makes itself known.
Gone are the days when malicious software makers wanted users to see their destructive powers, and enter the days where they want to go undetected so as to spy for longer periods of time.
Firstly Identify You Have A Spyware Problem
The first step is to identify the problem in the first place. Even if you aren’t suspecting any type of spyware on your system it’s still a good idea to run checks whenever possible.
Many popular computer protection suites have built in spyware tools that will be able to run a search on your computer.
Also, if you just installed a program and then decided you shouldn’t have trusted it, or if you feel that your computer has suddenly got a lot slower even after rebooting, you may be the victim of spyware.
If You Have A Spyware Infection Disconnect From The Internet
This is the first and most important thing to do. Don’t assume that you’ll fix the problem and try to avoid situations where you have to search the web in order to find spyware solutions. The real damage of spyware is done when it sends information about you back to the criminals who released the spyware in the first place.
Important: So long as you aren’t online this can’t happen.
The first thing to do then is close any internet related software. Once that’s done, physically disconnect your computer from the phone line or router, just to be certain.
If You Can Locate The Spyware Infected Application Un-Install It Immediately
The more aggressive forms of spyware won’t be that easy to find and remove as it’s designed to bury itself deep inside your computer’s system where it can safely hide. Still, some of these applications aren’t so advanced and they show up like any other application would.
Therefore, the first thing to do is check with Windows’ Add/Remove Program list (found through the control panel) and search for the unwanted program. Once you’ve told Windows to remove it, reboot your computer and see if the issues have gone away.
Run A Complete Computer Scan Of Your Operating System
Even if the above step worked, you will still want to let your antivirus software (the kind that is also designed to hunt down spyware such as Spyware Doctor) run a deep system scan. Before beginning the scan make sure you’ve selected the options that allow the antivirus program to remove the threats whenever possible.
Simply picking them out and telling you they are there won’t help in any way.
Once You Eliminate The Spyware You Need To Check Your Settings
You don’t want to start surfing online right away. The first thing to do is to checkout your browser’s settings and make sure the spyware didn’t toy around with them before being deleted.
For instance, it could have added malicious websites to your browser’s safe list. Once you’ve taken care of these problems you should be all clear to continue on, and hope that you’ll be able to avoid this problem in the future.
The fastest and most effective way to stay protected from spyware is by using a spyware detection tool. Post you comments below and let us know what you have found to be effective when removing spyware from your computer system.
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