How to remove adware/spyware and regain control of your Internet
Most Internet providers provide you with a FREE security solution with your paid subscription, check with them first before spending money on something else.
AOL - go to keyword - Security
COX - www.cox.net sign in and then go to Internet Tools > Security Software > about COX Security Suite
Qwest - http://member.q.com download Windows Live One Care
If you don't have the above services there is a free Antivirus program you can download called AVG. You can get it at http://free.avg.com
Adware, Spyware, Browser Hi-jackers or whatever else you want to call them have become out of control!
How do you know you have these pest?
When you sign on to your Internet and another page loads instead of your default home page.
Ads that pop up on your screen all the time.
Your system runs slow and sluggish.
If you are running an older version of Windows (pre 2000) you will find yourself pretty much alone, everyone has pretty much abandoned anything before Windows 2000 and you will have to look for something on your own. Currently you can download Spybot Search & Destroy that still works with Windows '98.
If you are running Windows XP there are FREE tools from Microsoft you can use to help
You should run Windows Update and make sure you have all the current updates installed. You should also download and install their AntiSpyware program. It is called Windows Defender. It is FREE for users of Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed. It is included with Windows Vista. You can download it from their website at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
You should also get the FREE version of Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition from Lavasoft. You can download it from their Website at:
www.lavasoft.com it is also available at www.download.com
Another FREE program to use to clean your system is Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware at www.malwarebytes.org
The nice thing about the FREE versions of Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware are that they don't run in the background slowing your system down in day to day operations. They only run when you click on them, making them great tools to help rid your system of pesky little bugs. Remember to run their updates before scanning.
There are also products that you can pay for, these will run in the background giving you set it and forget it protection. Spysweeper at www.webroot.com and Spyware Doctor at www.pctools.com are two such programs that get pretty good reviews. Beware that there are a lot of products out there that you can pay for that do nothing and actually make matters worse. You should stay with a well known product and make sure you read reviews before installing it on your system.
Microsoft has also entered into the Anti-Virus market with a product called Windows Live OneCare. They describe it as the All-in-One Protection and Maintenance Service for your PC. Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Performance Tune-ups & Data Backup and Restore. They offer a FREE 90 day trial version at:
You can also visit Microsoft's website for help with virus, firewalls & spyware tools at:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/downloads/default.mspx
Here is a GREAT site for more information on Spyware and reviews on products that actually work and what products to stay away from
Spyware Warrior - www.spywarewarrior.com
- updated Dec 2008