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Spyware Removal - A Tutorial and Users Guide

How does it get on my computer?

There are a number of ways this happens. I will list as many as I can think of off the top of my head. When you go to a website you may often find an “official looking” popup saying something about having to click yes in order to see the site or whatever. Never click yes. I don’t even click No. Click the X. Most sites do not use this method anymore. Spyware cal also be directly downloaded along with the graphics on the page you are viewing. It is a file or link or something that is downloaded and executed, thus installing itself into your computer. You wont even see it happen. It is difficult to prevent this since you do want to see the graphics and read the text on a page. Open the door for one and the door is opened for all. Another example, you download a free software program and install it. Chances are somebody is making money which means additional programs may be “bundled” with the software. These bundles are often spyware programs. This is very common! Also, even more common, once infected with spyware, that spyware will download more spyware. I'll say it again, Spyware downloading and installing Spyware on your computer.

How do I remove spyware from my computer?

Removing spyware is a process which can, in extreme cases, take 4 or more hours to complete. The average time in removing spyware from an infected computer is approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the system speed and level of infection. In extreme cases, it may be easier to backup the system and reformat. See our Installation Tutorial for details. There is no single product available that will completely remove all spyware from a computer. For proper removal, a combination of manual removal procedures and software removal programs will be required.

Assuming you want to get your hands dirty and choose not to reformat, the first thing that needs to be done is a backup of any personal data. You have this already right? Next, download, install and update Adaware and Spybot 1.3. Do not run these programs yet. Ensure that you have updated them prior to continuing on to the next step as you will be unable to do so later.

Some people have mentioned to me that in later steps, you will not have Internet access, and therefore cannot read the following pages. Please take this into consideration and print the remaining pages before proceeding.