Detect and Remove Spyware

1. Secret Agent Man Said,

   I use Windows Defender. It’s free.
   I use AVAST. It’s free for non-commercial home use.
   I use Windows firewall.

   Use those 3 things and visit windows update once a week or so and you may never get another virus, trojan, malware or like issue ever again.

2. Aiden Ashton Morales Said,

   Download Ad-Aware SE Personal. That is a good program to use to block adware

3. xrandomnessx Said,

   An antivirus software like Norton.

   Or maybe…maybe… I dont know for sure if this will help, but try clearing your temporary folder.

   Go to my computer>c drive> then go to "tools" > "folder options" and click the "view tab" and under "hidden files and folders" make sure "show hidden files and folders is selected then click apply.

   After that x out that window and click on the "Documents and Settings" folder. You should then see a folder with your computers name on it or your name. Click it. Then click on the "Local Settings" folder and then the "Temp" folder.

   [Once in there you can pretty much delete any of the files or folders you find there. These are just temporary stored files on your computer. Some websites can store stuff you do not want or need in here. So, deleting some of this might just help you solve that problem, but I am not certain.]

   Most importantly: After you delete the files go to your recycle bin and empty it then go back through the process , but this time make sure that the "Do not show hidden files and folders" button is selected.

   Just letting you know this will also free up space.

   Hope this helps.

4. gary r Said,

   Increase your security settings.Trouble is, they then may not let you access some programmes that you want.

5. Pale Rider Said,

   Here are some possible ways that you can get rid of Ads/spies.

   1) Watch where you are going on the internet.
   2) Download and install – AdAware (link provided)
   3) Download and install – Spybot Search And Destroy
   4) Make sure that you have a good firewall
   5) Get yourself a good virus scanner
   6.)To do a in-depth scan and deletion of unwanted programs etc.. you can download a trial ware of System Mechanic this will get rid of things that the others can’t

6. jibbarjabar Said,

   Is your anti-adware or anti-spyware program detecting "tracking cookies" each and every day?

   If this is true, then RELAX!

   Cookies are just small .txt (text) files that by themselves cannot hurt your computer. Cookies are "set" by almost every web-site that you visit, on every visit. You can delete all your cookies today and by tomorrow you will have dozens again just be visiting web-sites.

   Cookies do not slow down a computer, at least the first million or so that you might have on your computer!

   They are not a virus or spyware, BUT some people consider "tracking" cookies to be an invasion of privacy.

   Tracking cookies are "3rd party cookies" from advertising servers. They can track your movements around the web in order to deliver to you customized, targeted advertising.

   It all depends on ones personal level of paranoia whether you consider tracking cookies some kind of threat. Some anti-spyware programs do not even report tracking cookies as even a minor threat.

   If you are using Internet Explorer for a browser, you can permanently block all 3rd party (tracking) cookies. Go to tools > internet options > privacy > advanced > check-mark "override automatic cookie handling" > third party cookies > tick "block" > ok > ok.

   Children are the people that are always the most nervous about cookies. Because cookies are an easy way for Mommy and Daddy to find out exactly what their darling ‘lil b@$^@#d$ have been looking at on the web.

   Personally, If I happen to remember it, I will delete my cookies every 6 months or so

   Cookies are much ado about nothin’.

   Enjoy!

7. Lauren R Said,

   You’ve got some great answers so far! Another element you can add into your spyware prevention mix is on the browser side. You should definitely be running a spyware scanner like the ones mentioned above, but you can also prevent a lot of it from infiltrating in the first place with a program like Zone Alarm’s Force Field. Yes, I am working with them to recruit users for our Beta test, but I do think it could really help you out.

   Here’s some of the stuff it does for spyware:
   •Flags fraudulent Web sites and blocks sypware trying to steal your identity.
   •Spy site blocking informs you of sites that harbor spyware as you surf the Internet.
   •Checks the browser session with an anti-spyware scanner.
   •Queries online database for spyware signatures.
   •Prevents keyloggers from logging your keystrokes from your browser.
   •Blocks keyloggers from capturing passwords during Web page logins.

   If this sounds helpful to you, please let me know or check out our free beta at http://www.zonealarm.com/forcefield.

   Regardless, I hope you find a security solution that works for you!

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