How to identify spyware

[gavinhodges00]

If spyware is in my computer how can i identify that one.

 

Thanks

[BeeCeeBee]

Hi Gavin,

 

Take a look at the attached. The anti malware programs are geared more for spyware than the antivirus programs. Also unlike antivirus you can have more than one. Antimalware bytes and SUPERantispyware seem to have pretty solid fan base on Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/malware-removal-av-firewalls-etc/3597-free-pc-help-recommended-security-products.html

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Also run the tools listed here.

 

 

Your computer may be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

We would be grateful if you could please note the following:

• Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
  
• Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
  
• If unsure, please stop and post your concerns.
  
• You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended that you print these instructions for ease of reference.
  

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

• STEP 1
  
  • Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
    
  • Save the file to your Desktop.
    
  • Double-click on the file to run the program.
    
  • On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
    
  • Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
     
    Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
    
  • Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
     
    Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera click No at the corresponding prompt.
    
  • Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
    
  • Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
    

  [*] STEP 2

  • Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
    
  • Save the file to your Desktop.
    
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
    
  • At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
    
    • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      
    • Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      

     

    [*] Click Finish.

    [*] The program will download and update itself if necessary. Please allow this.

    [*] Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

     

    Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

    [*] When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results.

    [*] Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

    [*] Restart your computer.

  [*] STEP 3

  • Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
    
  • Save the file to your Desktop.
    
  • Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
    
  • Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
    
  • Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
    
  • Click the Scanning Control tab.
    
  • Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:
    
    • Close browsers before scanning
      
    • Scan for tracking cookies
      
    • Terminate memory threats before quarantining
      

    [*] Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

    [*] On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

    [*] On the left, make sure you check mark C:\Fixed Drive.

    [*] On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

    [*] Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

    [*] After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

    [*] Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

    [*] A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

    [*] Restart your computer.

  [*] STEP 4

  • Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer and initiate the scan.
     
    Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
    
  • Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
    
  • Click the Start button.
    
  • Click the Install button on the screen that appears.
    
  • Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
    
  • Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
    
  • Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
    
  • Restart your computer.
    

  [*] STEP 5

  • Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
    
  • Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
    
  • Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
    
  • Click on the More Options tab.
    
  • Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
    

   

  This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing them. This method is the only foolproof way to ensure the their deletion.

   

  Note: Please don't use this on a regular basis as it will clear all previous restore points. The feature might be very useful to revert your computer to working condition if something goes wrong.

 

Re-enable all your security applications and, please, return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

 

Happy Safe Computing!