Adaware and Spybot

AdAware and Spybot

Downloading, Installing, and Using

bulletBackground
bulletAdAware
bulletDownload and Install Adaware
bulletRunning AdAware
bulletSpybot 1.5
bulletDownload and Install Spybot
bulletFirst Time Configuration of Spybot
bulletRunning Spybot

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Background

Adware and Spyware are at least as harmful to your computer as are viruses.  Adware consists of programs running on your computer that cause pop-ups, and frequently these programs send information about you, such as your interests based on your internet browsing or installed programs, back to their home base (where ever that might be) so they can target advertising to things you might be interested in.  Spyware is similar, but generally sends back information from your computer back to the people who control the program.  This information could be web addresses, mail addresses, or even account and password information.

Both Adware and Spyware get on your computer by being installed, usually by you.  They may come attached to free screensavers or other useful software, or you might get a warning about a "problem" on your computer with a request to "click here" to fix it.  Clicking will install the adware or spyware program.  Sometimes clicking on an email or website can cause these ogres to be installed.

Fortunately, there are methods for getting rid of adware and spyware.  One method is to use a good antimalware program such as AVG AntiVirus v8.  (Click this link for info or to order).  AVG AntiVirus v8 protects against viruses, adware, and spyware.

There are also excellent free tools to find and remove adware and spybot.  Two of the best are AdAware and Spybot.  (Be careful when searching the internet for them and downloading them.  The websites have multiple buttons that will download other programs to your computer!)  These instructions give you links to the real programs to download them, and instructions for installing, configuring, and running them.

Be sure to look at the instructions for running these programs, since there are a few tricks.  Both programs need to be updated before you run them every time.  Spybot's immunization needs to be run after an update.

If you have any questions, give us a call and maybe we can help.

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AdAware 2007

Download and Install AdAware

bulletClick here to download AdAware 2007.

 

 
bulletIf asked, click Run or Open.  The program will download and then the installation will begin.
bulletClick OK or Continue on all screens during the installation.  Accept all defaults during the installation.

 

bullet(Note:  If you have a previous version of AdAware installed, it will be removed during the installation process.)

 

bulletThe program will launch when installation is complete

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Running AdAware

Follow these steps every time you want to run AdAware.

bulletIf the AdAware program is not already open, launch it from its desktop icon.
    
bulletOn the Main Screen, in the Definition Status area, click the Update button.  Follow the prompts to download and install the latest adware definition updates.
    
bulletOn the Main Screen, in the System Scan area, click the Scan Now button.
    
bulletIn the middle of the screen, click the button next to Full Scan.  Then click the Scan button at the bottom right of the screen.

    

 

bulletYour computer will be scanned for AdWare and Spyware.

 

bulletWhen the scan is complete, make sure to click to place a checkmark in the box next to each item shown on the Critical Objects tab.

 

bulletYou can also right-click any object and then choose Select All Objects, and all items will be checkedmarked.

 

bulletNow click on the Remove button and the selected objects will be eliminated from your computer.

 

  

bulletNext click on the Privacy Objects tab and click to place a checkmark in the box next to each item shown.

 

bulletNow click on the Remove button and the selected objects will be eliminated from your computer.
  

 
bulletNow click the Finish button in the lower right corner of the Adaware window.

 

bulletYou can now close AdAware by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the window.

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Spybot 1.5

Download and Install Spybot

bulletClick here to download Spybot 1.5.

 

 
bulletIf asked, click Run or Open.  The program will download and then the installation will begin.
bulletClick OK for English, then follow the installation process accepting all defaults.
bulletAllow the computer to restart if requested.

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First Time Configuration of Spybot

Follow these steps the first time you run Spybot to configure it.

bulletIf the Spybot program is not already open, launch it from its desktop icon.
    
bulletThe Setup S&D Wizard should launch.  Click Next on the Registry Backup screen 3 of 7.
    
bulletOn the next screen, click the Search For Updates button.
    
bulletSelect a default update location and click the Continue button.
    
bulletRight-click one of the listed updates, and choose Select All.  All listed updates will become checked.

 

bulletClick the Download button at the bottom of the window.
    
bulletClick OK to any information boxes that may appear.

 

bulletClick the Exit button at the bottom of the Updater window

 

bullet

Click Next on the Spybot Wizard Screen

 

bulletClick the Immunize this System button.

 

    
bulletWhen immunization is complete, click Next on the Spybot Wizard Screen

 

bulletClick Start using the program on the Wizard screen.

 

    
bulletYour Spybot program is now configured and ready to use.

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Running Spybot

Follow these steps every time you run Spybot.

bulletIf the Spybot program is not already open, launch it from its desktop icon.
    
bulletOn the main Spybot screen, click the Search for Updates button.

 

bulletIf a message comes up that there are no new updates, click OK.

 

    
bulletIf there are updates, right-click one of the listed updates, and choose Select All.  All listed updates will become checked.

 

bulletClick the Download button at the bottom of the window.
    
bulletClick OK to any information boxes that may appear.

 

bulletClick the Exit button at the bottom of the Updater window

 

bulletClick the Immunize shield on the left side of the Spybot window, then click the Immunize button at the top of the screen.

 

       
bulletFollow the immunize process.

 

bulletClick the Search & Destroy button on the left side of the Spybot window, then click the Check for Problems button at the top of the screen.

 

       
bulletSpybot will search your files for matches in its database of adware and spyware.

 

bulletWhen the scan is complete, make sure that each item has a checkmark next to it (most are checked by default).

 

bulletNow click on the Fix Selected Problems button at the top of the screen and the selected objects will be eliminated from your computer.

  
 
bulletClick the Yes button.

 

bulletClick OK on the confirmation after the problems have been "fixed".

 

         

 

bulletYou can now close Spybot by clicking the X in the upper right corner of the window.

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