Get rid of spyware, adware, malicious antispyware - what to do when you got serious spyware problem
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Spyware. Many people are familiar of this term. However, not many are aware and become the victim for this threat. Once your computer is infected, you might get the browser's homepage changed, pop-up appear even if you're offline, unwanted startup programs running, weird tray icon appear, your internet connection slows down. Some settings of your computer might be changed and you can't turn it back. |
Just like the name, spyware is a program, developed by cyber criminals in order to spies, gain partial or full control on users operating system. It is not like virus, trojan or worm, since these threat can be easily removed by a single virus scan. Spyware acts differently. Even if internet security suit today is equipped with antispyware feature, some just not good enough, and won't be able to detect lots of spyware in a test sample.
Hence, spyware threat is not something that you can go easy on. This article will guide you one-by-one on how to get rid of spyware, and clean your computer so it'll run as good as new.
How to get rid of these spyware symptoms?
These are steps that you should take to remove all the spyware symptoms.
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Create backup and restore point.
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Remove trojan and virus using an antivirus software.
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Scan with a spyware program
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Get the support from specialist
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Remove the remaining restore point
Phase 1 : Creating backups and restore points.
Backup and save all important data. That could be your banking information, photos, e-mail address book, projects, bookmarks. You can do so either by using portable devices, such as USB flash, CD-ROM, DVD. However, my favorite way is by using online storage. To save any photos, you can upload them to Flickr.com, or fotki.com. You can save your favorite bookmarks by using Google Bookmark service or del.icio.us. Important documents and Microsoft Excel projects can be uploaded to Google Docs and Spreadsheets.
Create a restore point. Actually, creating a restore point at this moment could be both good and bad. The good thing is, if your further removal process leads to lots of damage, then you can use this point to fully restore your system. The bad thing is, any trojan could be saved in this point. So, when your system is clean later on, remember to delete this restore point.
Creating restore point for Windows XP: Click Start>All Programs> Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.
Creating restore point for Windows Vista: Open My computer > System Properties > System protection. Click on "Create" button to begin.
Make sure your Windows show all files. For certain reason, Windows hide important driver files or system files. However, to detect any malicious objects, you need to show all files. For Windows XP / Vista: Click Start > Control Panel. > Appearance and Themes > Folder Options.
Phase 2: Run antivirus program to remove any virus or trojan
If you install an antivirus program, run full scan to remove any remaining virus, trojan or worm. If you don't have any antivirus, you can download and install any of these programs. Use only one antivirus at one time. Two antivirus in one system will conflict with each other.
Alternatively, you can also use a spyware remover with antivirus. A good one is Webroot Spy Sweeper.
Download Spy Sweeper with antivirus.
Phase 3: Run an antispyware program.
The easiest way to remove all spyware is by using SpyZooka. To start the removal process, you need to download SpyZooka (click on free scan button). SpyZooka guarantees 100% removal in 24 hours.
For the best result, run SpyZooka in Safe Mode. Restart your computer, then press F8 during the boot process. Select Safe Mode With Networking in the incoming menu.
Run full scan. Remove any threat detected.
Phase 4: Get the right support
There are lots of websites that provide support to your spyware problem. I divide this into two options; either getting the support from SpyZooka's support team, or getting help from HijackThis forums.
If you're using SpyZooka, this would be an advantage, since getting the support is simple and easy.
Getting the support from SpyZooka support team : After running full scan, click on results > Scan report tab > Send Report. State your problems, email and your name.
For certain reason, you might not able to send this report directly. You can click on copy report option. Paste the report in notepad and save it. Restart in normal mode and send the scan result to SpyZooka's support. You can do so by using support ticket. You can also call at 1-208-475-4753.
That's all. No need to install two or three programs, no HijackThis and instant removal. In less than 24 hours, they'll contact and send you the update.
SpyZooka can clean all the following threats : spyware, adware, trojan Horse, keylogger, hijacker, dialer, tracking cookie, worm, and also rogue antispyware such as SpyLocked, SpySheriff, SpyDawn. If there are new type of spyware or rogue antispyware that can't be removed, simply contact the support team to clean your computer in less than 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can also get the support from forums. However, they had some rules, and requires lots of cleaning process by yourself, before you can ask for help.
Getting the support from HijackThis forum:
If you're looking for free way, this would probably be an option. Click on Start > Run > msconfig. Make sure that you select Normal Startup in that configuration utility window. This will ease the expert to analyze your HijackThis log later on.
You'll need to download all these programs:
Trend Micro HijackThis (Download HijackThis executable)
Install then reboot in Safe Mode. Unplug any cable, or modem. This will avoid spyware connection with the internet. Run full scan using all programs, except HijackThis. This could take hours, depending on type of programs. Remove any threat detected.
Then run Trend Micro HijackThis. Select "Do a system scan and save a logfile". A logfile in .txt will be saved to wherever you HijackThis program is saved.
Return to normal mode and send your logfile to any HijackThis forum.
Phase 5: Delete all restore points
Click Start>All Programs> Accessories>System Tools>System Restore. Disable it. Restart your computer. Then turn System Restore on again.
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