Part III: How to Remove Spyware

Now that we know what spyware is and how to detect it, we need to discuss how to get rid of the spyware that is currently running on your machine. The bad news is not only is there a wide variety of spyware, but it has also become increasingly sophisticated. Because of this there is no one product or solution currently available, short of completely erasing your hard drive and re-installing Windows and all your software, which will completely fix the problem. The good news is it is not necessary to live with the constant annoyance of pop-ups and sluggish performance or the worries that someone is collecting important information about you and your browsing and shopping habits that spyware brings.

The first step in reducing the presence of spyware on your computer is installing effective spyware removal software. This however, can be more difficult then it may seem. There are currently over one hundred anti-spyware applications available on the market. Some of which are free to download and some require a fee and some, regardless of price are more effective then others. The following is a list of the most recommended programs that Computing Services has tested and researched.

• Lavasoft's Ad-aware
• GIANT AntiSpyware. Originally developed by Giant Company Software. Bought by Microsoft in December 2004 and further developed as Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta)
• Computer Associates' Pest Patrol
• Spybot Search & Destroy
• Webroot Spy Sweeper

For more information about these applications please check below or click here. The programs listed below were selected because they were the most effective in detecting the widest variety of spyware and/or they have components that not only remove spyware from your computer but help keep it off. While each of these applications have paid versions which offer more advanced features, the free/evaluation versions of each of these products do a decent job of finding and removing spyware. Again, because no one product can detect and remove 100% of spyware, it is recommended that you use at least two anti-spyware products. It is also important to note that the programs listed below are simply the most recommended options of the products that we have tested and researched. If you are already using a different product or find another product that you feel works just as well, if not better, then you should feel free to use it (also feel free to let us know at pcsupport@fandm.edu). However, if you plan on using a program not mentioned on the list below, we recommend doing a little research on the product before installing it. Some programs, especially free ones, can do more harm then good. For example, a program called SpywareNuker claims to be a removal program, but has been reported to be spyware itself.

The next step to reducing the amount of spyware on your computer is making sure that the software that you choose is fully updated. Most anti-spyware programs work in a similar fashion to anti-virus software. In this sense, they use definition files, which are basically databases full of information about known spyware programs, the files they install and the system changes they make, to detect spyware installed on your computer. These definition files are updated on a regular basis to include new spyware and new information about existing spyware. Without the most up to date versions of the definitions files your anti-spyware software will not be able to detect new threats and therefore will not be as effective as it possible can be. It is also important to keep the application itself up to date. Software developers periodically release new versions of the software that often include bug fixes and improved scanning engines and sometimes include new features. These new applications versions also are often designed to coincide and work with changes made in Windows by updates or service packs distributed by Microsoft for the operating system. It is important that you know how the software that you choose to use updates. Some programs can check for updates automatically and notify you when they are ready while other will require you to be more diligant about checking yourself and/or installing manually.

Following these easy steps will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, spyware from most user's computers.

Recommended Anti-Spyware Applications

• Lavasoft's Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com)
• Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta) (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)
• GIANT AntiSpyware (http://www.giantcompany.com). For support for versions purchased before December 2004 only
• Computer Associates' Pest Patrol (http://www.ca.com/products/pestpatrol/)
• Spybot Search & Destroy (http://spybot.safer-networking.de/en/index.html)
• Webroot Spy Sweeper (http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/)