| Spyware, Adware, Malware, Badware....whatever | | | | your computer that you did not install? |
| you choose to call it, it's a problem. Chances are | | | | |
| that you or someone you know has or will | | | | |
| experience some sort of 'ware' infection on a | | | | Now that you know a bit about what spyware is |
| computer and it can be frustrating. | | | | and how to tell if a computer is infected, let's get |
| | | | down to the removal process. First things first - |
| What is spyware? | | | | backup your personal data! You should be doing |
| Spyware is malicious software that collects | | | | this regularly anyway. Using Windows XP - Click |
| information about a user and is installed on a | | | | Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> |
| computer without the user's informed consent. | | | | System Tools, and then click Backup to start the |
| Not to be confused with a virus.There are many | | | | wizard. |
| different types of spyware.Adware - is a type of | | | | |
| spyware that collects information about a user in | | | | To remove spyware/adware you need two |
| order to display targeted advertisments to the | | | | programs (maybe three). The two I recommend |
| user.Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) - is a plug-in | | | | are SpyBot Search & Destroy and AdAware. The |
| for Internet Explorer which helps developers | | | | Third is an application called HiJackThis. Be warned, |
| customize and control the browser.Browser | | | | HiJackThis is for advanced user, the is a powerful |
| HiJacker - is when a malicious application adjusts | | | | tool! Consult the program's documentation before |
| your browser settings without your concent. For | | | | deleting any files, you could cause serious system |
| example: your homepage has changed to a | | | | damage if you do not know what you are doing. |
| search page, dangerous sites have been | | | | Links to all three of these tools can be found here |
| mysteriously added to your Favorites, | | | | |
| questionable websites are added to Internet | | | | |
| Explorer's list of Trusted Sites etc...Keyboard | | | | Download, install and update the programs. Then |
| Logger - logs all the activity of your keyboard and | | | | restart the computer and tap the |
| reports this information back to a remote | | | | F8 key on your keyboard as the computer |
| computer. This information can be used to steal | | | | begins to start - this will give you the |
| passwords, bank information etc...Phone Dialer - | | | | option of starting in 'Safe Mode'. You will see a |
| AKA - Modem HiJacker - this type of application | | | | few other options here as well. |
| changes the phone number dialed when using a | | | | For this particular job select 'Safe Mode'. |
| dial-up Internet connection so charges are incurred | | | | What is Safe Mode? Safe Mode is an alternate |
| on the users phone bill.Remote Access Trojans | | | | way of starting a computer using only the bare |
| (RATs) - malicious programs that run on a user's | | | | minimum of resources. It's a troubleshooting tool |
| computer which permits an intruder remote | | | | built into indows based operating systems. |
| access to that computer.How do I know if my | | | | |
| computer is infected? What are the signs of | | | | If a computer is running in Safe Mode you should |
| spyware?slower than normal computer? - Is your | | | | see that the screen resolution looks 'off', which is |
| computer having trouble performing routine | | | | perfectly normal, and you should see the words |
| tasks? Has there been a sudden increase in the | | | | 'Safe Mode' in the corners of the screen. |
| amount of times your computer crashes? Does | | | | Run full system scans with both programs. They |
| your computer not start at all?homepage has | | | | should be able to find the problems and remove |
| changed by itself? - Has your homepage been | | | | them. To learn how to remove a particular item |
| hijacked? Does it open to a search page that you | | | | using SpyBot and/or AdAware consult each |
| did not specify?pop-ups driving you crazy? - Do | | | | program's 'Help' documentation. |
| they appear as soon as you turn on your | | | | |
| computer? Are they for adult websites? Some | | | | Next, restart the computer in "normal mode" and |
| spyware will bombard you with popups that aren't | | | | see what happens. If you are still experiencing |
| even related to the website you are | | | | problems start the computer in Safe Mode again |
| visiting.browser settings have changed and you | | | | and run the spyware scans once more. Make sure |
| can't change them back? - When you open up | | | | that the spyware definitions are up-to-date for |
| Internet Explorer does it open to a search page | | | | each program before using Safe Mode. This will |
| that you did not specify?new browser toolbars | | | | give you the maximum advantage when trying to |
| installed - but not by you? - Is there a mysterious | | | | detect and remove malware. |
| toolbar installed on your browser?phone bill | | | | |
| sky-rocketed - Do you see charges on your | | | | There is another tool built into Windows called |
| phone bill for adult websites or 1-900 | | | | MSCONFIG which I use quite often when |
| numbers?unexpected new or new icons in your | | | | troubleshooting spyware. |
| system tray? - Are there applications running on | | | | What is MSCONFIG? |