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Spyware is basically programs that cause problems and frusturation. These include: pop up advertisements on your computer, browser hijacks, search engine hijacks, website redirections, website restrictions and computer problems (like slowdowns and lockdowns)
There are two utilities i use to remove spyware and they are both really good. I suggest you download them and do it now cause these utilities work best only if no windows are open. They are both free to use and abuse.
1) Spybot S&D
Click me to download Spybot
2) Hijack This
Click me to download HiJack This
(under the title of official download you will see the link for this utility)
This is only for people that use Microsoft Internet Explorer
First Step
Turn off System Restore (XP users)
Right click on the start button> Second line would read "Explore"> Click on Explore
On the left side under the heading of "folder" you will see an icon that reads "My Computer"> Right click it and scroll down to properties and left click. You will see the tab for System Restore. Click the tab and disable system restore.
If you need illustrations for this then click this link
Windows XP system restore link
Turn off System Restore (Windows ME/98 users)
The process is a little different. You can click this link for turning off your system restore.
Windows ME/98 System Restore Link.
Now click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Internet Options (double click the icon to launch)
In the general tab right in the middle you will see 2 buttons. Click the one that says "Delete Files" (You may also want to check the box "Delete all offline content"). Then click "Delete Cookies".
Now you are ready to start a system scan. Basically your scanner will search for trojans or download droppers. If you own a virus scanner then let is scan your computer
OR
You can you scan your computer online if you dont own a scanner
Click this link to choose the scanner of your choice
Now for removing the rest of the parasite
1) Launch Spybot
2) Look for the update tab. Click it and update your copy
3) Now click the tab that reads "Check for Problems"
When the scan is completed a button will become visible "Fix Selected Problems" Click the button. it will ask you do you want to delete the selected entries? DUH offcourse you want to click YES
Now Launch Hijack this
1) Click "Scan"
Now if you are not fimiliar with computers then click the button that reads "Save Log" and paste that log here for other people review. Dont proceed further!
If you are fimiliar then check the entries that dont belong in your machine and click "Fix Checked'.
Reboot and you should be fine.
If everything is working smooth then at this point you can turn your system restore on again.
Advanced:
I recently got a real bad spyware which acted a lil different.
It blocked out my general tab. Meaning i couldnt change my home page
It locked me out of the computer registry.
Everytime i would open internet explorer i got a zillion popups. Talk about frusturation! I wanted to kill. How can someone lock me out of my computer!
Here are the steps i took to take over again. Yeah that's right dont mess
1) Launch Spybot>Left side there in navigation click IE Tweaks>In IE current title i wrote "Google". I dont know why i did this but the next time i went in internet tools my general tab was back to normal again! So i changed my home pages and things got a lil better
2) For registry i had no idea where to start but i found this tool called "registar lite" which lets us you view or make changes. You can find this tool at Link for Registar Lite
Or you can visit this site where you can just type a single line in Start>Run command to restore your registry viewing rights. Link for Windows registry help
This is a pretty much basic routine to follow. You can advance this much by
Disconnecting from the internet
Running spybot when in safe mode
Go to Start>Search and type in *.tmp files to delete them
It has become my dream to find one of these nerdy script writers and bust all his car tires so he can have an agonizing time like me.
This is my first time posting on Tips i hope it helps you. I have tried to make it as simple as i could but if you dont understand anything or have any question then let me know. I am no expert but maybe me or some other real experts (which our forum has) can assist you.
Edited by Logic, 10 December 2004 - 01:57 AM.
) But well, it isn't bad to have a summary either..lol
Briefly said, while surfing the net, be careful. Don’t click on everything that is appealing or colourful or flashing.
), schedule a task - i.e, schedule it to do a system scan at least once a week. If it bothers you that it's in the background or something when you're working, then schedule it for a time when you know no one will be using the computer and it'll be turned on, etc. For example, Thursday nights when you're at the mosque!
iv ran microsoft anti spyware on my computer, and it seems to be helping just a lil.......my computer is getting SOOOOO slow and messed up.....and i hav to dl google pop up blocker like every other day!!!......wut do i do?????????????? 
