Remove spyware and adware manually
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Spyware - it's a disease that spread can spread to all computers that connected online. The problem is, once you get infected , how can your possibly remove it ? Not like virus, some spyware can't be removed easily by just performing single scan. Sometimes, to remove the remaining spyware symptom, requires you to the job manually. This tutorial will guide you on how |
to remove spyware, adware and BHO using some programs. These method can only remove the symptoms. The spyware itself could still hiding somewhere in your machine. Which is why, I highly recommend using spyware remover programs. Click here to download good antispyware.
How to stop running process
Actually, there are a few symptom when a process or file is running in the background. First, your computer and internet connection might become slower than usual. And second, when you try deleting that file using delete button, the access is denied.
For that reason, I recommend you to stop any running process, before pressing the delete button.
Using HijackFree. (recommended)
There's a reason why I recommend this program. You'll be able not just to stop but also to delete that malicious processs file. Then, you can also create backup. If you find out that the file is actually useful, you can simply undo the changes.
To start removal,
download and run A-squared
HijackFree. You'll see list of running process and programs. Then, click on
refresh
button. The running process will be colored by green, yellow, red or white.
Select any suspected process. The information given would help you determine
whether a process is benign or hostile. Before killing related process, it is a
good idea to check create backup, so that you can restore back the file, if
things getting worse. Please leave alone any unknown objects.
Using HijackThis
Actually, this one needs you to interpret and understand the HijackThis carefully. That's why, I don't recommend this method. It's better that you read full tutorial on using HijackThis. Anyway, to use HijackThis, you need to download Trend Micro HijackThis executable. It requires no installation. Create a specific folder for HijackThis, but make sure it is easy to find, since a shortcut won't be created in your start menu. Run HijackThis program. Select "Open the Misc tool section". Click on Open process manager. Press refresh to view scan and list any new process running. Then, press "Kill process". By default, HijackThis will create backup for any deleted files.
Using Task Manager.
Often, spyware will use lots of memory and CPU usage, and slows down your computer. To stop any running spyware program, you can use the task manager. On your desktop, press Ctrl + Alt + Del. Task manager panel will open. For Vista, a menu will appear, simply click on Start Task Manager.
By default, you can view the running program. These are programs that you notice, for example, you might urn word processor, media player etc. Click on process tabs to see any other programs, working in the background. Here, you can view running processes. The spyware is likely to be found here. Select any suspected process and click on End Process.
How to remove unwanted startup objects / services
Using msconfig
Major spyware hijack Windows startup and modify this part. By starting on with Windows, it will ease the spyware activity. You can remove any startup objects by using msconfig command.
Click on Start menu > Run and type msconfig. Click on Startup tabs. A list of program that starting up with Windows will appear. Simply uncheck any programs that you want to avoid from running. Not only spyware programs, you can also turn off unimportant programs, so that your Windows will reboot much faster. However, please leave your important Windows programs and antivirus checked. If not, the real-time protection of the antivirus won't be functioning. However, this method can only be used to stop a spyware from running on startup - that spyware could still be hiding in your system. Some spyware is very tough, even if you uncheck that box, it will keep coming back on startup.
Using A-squared HijackFree
HijackFree not just stop certain programs from running on Startup, it will also delete the spyware itself.
First, you need to download HijackFree from Emsisoft website. This program doesn't require installation. Backup files will be created in the same directory as the executable file. So, create an easy-to-find folder for this application.
Run the program. You can see a few parts on the right. Select Autoruns part. There are some more folders. View registry folder and then autostart menu folder. You can see a few programs there. Uncheck a program if you want to stop it from running. Alternatively, you can click on Delete Autorun to delete that file permanently. Please leave any file as it is, if you're not sure, whether it's hostile or not.
How to delete a spyware file
The easy way to delete a spyware file, is either by using a spyware remover program or by pressing your delete button. However, due to certain reason, some file just won't go away. For example, that program might be running on startup, and keep running in the background. Hence, each time you press the delete button, you'll get access is denied message.
There are lots of way to delete files like this, however, I figure the easiest way is by using HijackThis program.
Run HijackThis and select Open the Misc Tools section > Delete a file on reboot. A Window will open, find the file. Then restart your computer. That file will be deleted even before Windows startup.
How to remove unwanted browser toolbar or browser help objects.
Browser is probably one of the most targeted part by spyware and adware. The main reason is simple - because hackers can easily track user's surfing activity on browser, compared to the other application. Because of this, Microsoft added an Add-on Manager to Internet Explorer with the release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. So, the new version of IE browser and Firefox browser should have Add-on manager in the menu.
To remove BHO for Internet Explorer:
Run your Internet Explorer > Select Tools in the main menu > Manage Add-Ons > Enable or disable Add-Ons. You can view the list of add-ons and remove the anoyying ones.
To remove BHO for Firefox:
Actually, it is very rare to see a spyware infected Firefox browser. Anyway, to remove any add-ons on Firefox, you have to run the program. From the main menu, select tools > Add-Ons. Remove / uninstall any unwanted add-ons.
To remove BHO using HijackFree:
First, you need to download A-squared HijackFree. Run the program. Select Others from the menu. Double click on Explorer AddOns. You can see a few more folders, such as IE toolbars, shell extensions, browser help objects.... . Click on refresh button first, to download details on each objects. Malicious objects usually colored in red. Delete any malicious add-on or BHO.
To remove BHO using HijackThis:
Download and run Trend Micro HijackThis. Select do a system scan only. You'll get a complicated list after the scan. Find any objects that is marked with BHO in the beginning - that is your IE browser help objects. While object marked with toolbar is your IE toolbar. Make sure that a BHO or toolbar is really useless or malicious; then check the object, and click on fix button.
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