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Remove Adware/Spyware

By: lowster11

Many kinds of unwanted software, including spyware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall this software like any other program, you might find that the program reappears as soon as you restart your computer. If you're having trouble uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to download a tool to do the job for you. Several companies offer free and low-cost software that will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted software and help you remove it.

Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) include anti-spyware software in their service packages. Check with your ISP to see if they can recommend or provide a tool. If your ISP doesn't offer a removal tool for spyware and other unwanted software, ask people you trust to recommend one, or see the list below for a few well-known tools. Keep in mind that removing unwanted software with these tools may mean you will no longer be able to use a free program that came with the spyware.

To remove spyware

1. Download the new Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) or another spyware removal tool.

2. Run the tool to scan your computer for spyware and other unwanted software.

3. Review the files discovered by the tool for spyware and other unwanted software.

4. Select suspicious files for removal by following the tool's instructions.

If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, you may have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

• I see pop-up advertisements all the time. Some unwanted software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren't related to a particular Web site you're visiting. These ads are often for adult or other Web sites you may find objectionable. If you see pop-up ads as soon as you turn on your computer or when you're not even browsing the Web, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer.

• My settings have changed and I can't change them back to the way they were. Some unwanted software has the ability to change your home page or search page settings. This means that the page that opens first when you start your Internet browser or the page that appears when you select "search" may be pages that you do not recognize. Even if you know how to adjust these settings, you may find that they revert back every time you restart your computer.

• My Web browser contains additional components that I don't remember downloading. Spyware and other unwanted software can add additional toolbars to your Web browser that you don't want or need. Even if you know how to remove these toolbars, they may return each time you restart your computer.

• My computer seems sluggish. Spyware and other unwanted software are not necessarily designed to be efficient. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine.

This document explains the differences between spyware, adware, and hijacking software. It helps resolve problems caused by these types of software. Some indications that your PC may contain spyware are:

Poor system performance, especially while browsing the Internet.
The PC stops responding more frequently.
The PC takes longer to open the Windows desktop.
Browser closes unexpectedly or stops responding.
Performing a search from a search page provides results on a different site.
Clicking a link does nothing or goes to a non-related Web site.
Browser home page changes and may not be able to be reset. Usaully, about:Blank is set as your Home page.
Pop-up advertising windows appear when the browser is not open or over Web pages that do not normally have pop-ups.
Additional toolbars are added to the browser.
Web pages are automatically added to list of favorites.
Desktop icons are automatically added to the desktop.
CAUTION: Be wary when installing software distributed as no-cost. The cost of installing the software may be slower Internet connection times, annoying pop-up ads, or even an increase in unwanted e-mails (spam).

Adware - Software that supports itself or another program by displaying ads while you are connected to the Internet. Most adware programs track how you browse the Internet and report the information to an interested party.
Spyware - Software that gathers and transmits information without one's knowledge. Spyware programs usually track information about the Web sites visited, browser and system information, and your computer IP address (the number that represents a network device on the Internet).
Browser hijacking software - Aggressive advertising software programs that change the settings of your browser without your knowledge. These can be very annoying and may appear as a virus at first (slow Internet connection and lots of network activity). Typical changes from hijacking software are: the browser's home page address, search bars, tool bars, the creation of desktop shortcuts, and intermittent advertising pop-ups. Once a browser is hijacked it may also redirect links to other sites that advertise or collect your usage information.

Article Source: Main Articles

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