FAQ:
How to Stop Spyware

Last updated: Feb 23, 2006

Spyware is one of the biggest threats to your privacy and the security of your data.

It's also the number one cause of system slowdowns on computers because it uses precious system resources including RAM (memory) and hard drive space.

Here's a series of helpful questions and answers that can help you remove and minimize future spyware from your computer. Please scroll down to the bottom to see all the Q&As.

For a free video by Andy Walker that explains how to remove spyware and protect yourself against future infections, click here:

Q.What is spyware?

A. Spyware comes in various forms, but basically it is a program or piece of information on your computer that either sends data about you or your computer habits to someone else on the Internet. This can be a company that is collecting data, or a thief seeking to steal access to your computer or data like bank information on it.

Spyware can also be a program that places unwanted ads on your computer. Cookies can be considered spyware. They are little piece of information placed in your web browser to track your web habits. This is useful sometimes as a web site can see you have visited it before and let you on without a registration process. Cookies are also used to keep track of your progress through a web store. They are also used to customize website ads to your likes and dislikes. Learn more about spywareand how to get rid of it with free anti-spyware software in Andy Walker's book Absolute Beginner's Guide to Secuirty Spam Spyware and Viruses.

Q.Why is spyware bad?

A. For one it can hog precious system resources like memory and hard disk space. If you computer runs really slow, but it never used to, then it probably is infected with spyware. If you have never do a spyware scan then I cna almost guarantee ther eis spyware on your system slowing things down and snooping on you.

It can also compromise your privacy, providing outsiders with information about your computer habits. If a spyware program installs a keylogger it can capture your keystrokes and send it to a third party. This can potentially expose your user IDs and passwords to thieves Some spyware are trojans which allows someone to log into your computer remotely and use it for their own purposes like sending spam or launching malicious attacks on other computers on the Internet, making it look like you are at fault.

Q. Yeah I know it is bad, I just want to get RID OF IT!!!!! Is there any software available to help me eliminate spyware?

A. I know how you feel. Yes, there's lots of good anti-spyware programs out there. I have a two-pronged approach.

ONE) Install 2 free anti-spyware programs and run scans with them. I have found that installing Windows Defender and Spybot Search and Destroy will eliminate 70-85 per cent of all known spyware. Windows Defender is Microsoft's free anti-spyware program. It only works with Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows Vista (due out by the end of 2006)

(Both programs are free, but note that you will have to download a program to prove your copy of Windows XP or 2000 is legal before getting Windows Defender )

See a free video demo of the programs here.

Unlike anti-virus progams, you can run more than one anti-spyware program on your system. Click the links above to get copies of these

TWO) Recommended: Get a copy of PestPatrol and install and run it. (Do a free scan with it from this page) So why spend $29 when there are free anti-spyware programs out there? Because when I was host of the TV show Call for Help we ran lab tests to see which anti-spyware programs would clean all spyware. We found no one program did it all. However, if you installed the free two programs above *and* PestPatrol you are pretty much guaranteed protection from all spyware. It may seem like overkill, but unfortunately that's the nature of anti-spyware programs - there's no one stop solution, although of all the programs PestPatrol performed the best followed by Spyware Doctor, which I also like very much. Our free video demo shows you PestPatrol in action.

Q. How does spyware get on my computer?

A. There are several techniques. Sometimes they arrive as an automatic download from a website you are surfing. Typically this happens a lot on porn sites. Sometimes if you download a free or illegal piece of software, they are embedded in the installation process. Or spyware can get on your computer via an email attachment that you shouldn't have opened.

Q. I have a spyware remover program but it doesn't remove a particular type of spyware on my computer. What can I do?

A. Just like your anti-virus program, you need to update the signatures in your anti-spyware program so that it will catch new spyware programs that are released. Go into the spyware program and see if it has a method to update these.

Q. My Internet Explorer has been hijacked (ie my browser web page cannot be changed from a site that I don't want). What can I do?

A. We recommend that you download the free program called Hijack This and manually remove the spyware that is hijacking your browser. Here's a step by step article on how to do that! You won't find free instructions like this that are this good anywhere else on the Internet! Click here.

PestPatrol, Spyware Doctor, Microsoft AntiSpyware and Spybot Search & Destroy also have some capablities to remove browser hijackers.

Q. How can I delete spyware manually?

A. Sometimes a spyware program is very obvious. It adds itself to your menu bar and be found listed in your Add/Remove Programs list in your Windows Control Panel. Click START, (then if you have Win95/98/Me click Settings) then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs and look for a program that you don't recognize. Sometimes its obvious....like "XXX dialer" or something like that. Just use the Add/Remove Programs features to remove it. Sometimes its not as evident and you have to go diving into the registry and delete entries and also search for specific files on your hard drive and remove them. You can also remove spyware by turning the program off in you StartUp area. Click here to learn how to do that with a video tutorial.

Q. What can I do to stop spyware?

A. There are a few things you can do. Don't download programs by companies you are not familiar with. Avoid shareware and freeware. Don't download illegal pirated software. Set your browser security to HIGH. One Internet Explorer, click Tools > Internet Options > then the Security tab and move the slider to MEDIUM or preferably HIGH. The only problem with this is it may block access to some websites you want to see. Ultimately your best bet is to get an anti-spyware program and scan your system regularly.

Q. What can I do if my web browser's homepage is hijacked by spyware?

A. Here's a column on how to fix that: Click here.

Q. What about free anti-spyware programs? Any good?

A. Yes, you might consider Spybot, Adaware or Microsoft AntiSpyware. All good, all solve problems with varying levels of success and ease of use.

Q. Great advice, got any more computer threat-related columns?

A. Sure do! See our anti-spam FAQ and our Anti-Virus Center.

Q. I still have questions or need assistance with a particular problem. Where can I get help?

A. Try our free help forum. Click here. You may also want to look at our Emergency Help page. Or get personal help from the Cyberwalker help desk.

***