how can i get rid of spyware?

Question

how can i get rid of spyware? will this harm my computer a lot? help!!!plz

Answer 1

Keep your own Anti-virus up to date, and check the status regularly.

Get and update several Anti-spyware solutions. I use AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destroy. I use the free versions from http://www.download.com Update and run these regularly. Especially IMMEDIATELY after an upexpected pop-up.

Download and install FireFox free from http://www.mozilla.com This is a browser that is safer to use than IE. Use this for general surfing and google searching. Only use IE when you MUST have IE, such as Windows Updates.

If you have Windows XP with SP2, activate the Windows firewall and check the status. If you don't, get Zone Alarm the free version from http://www.zonelabs.com

Take these steps to keep your computer ALIVE.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Try all of the following, and yes it can be very harmful. With it anyone can monitor your every move on your computer. They can easily gain access to credit cards even if you don't use them on your computer because they can trace back to your ISP (DISGUISED AS YOU) and get in to your account Billing information.

Also One spyware program will open the door for many more to the point where your computer will no longer function for you.

You can try ALL of the following as no one program will clear out everything.

I use all of the following Free software with Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer with MSN toolbar and the pop-up blocker turned on and have never had a single problem with my computer sense Microsoft came out with SP2. (knock on wood.) (And be sure to keep Windows and the following software Updated)


The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)
The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (www.spybot.info)
AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.info/kb/)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.

These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.

The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)

Answer 4

well spywares r nothing but a code which tracks ur internet usage basing on the kind of sites u see.. they automatically pop up some sites.. They send the report to the sites from where they've come from.... they use ur bandwidth, this can eventuall yreduce ur browsing speed too.. They Use ur resources... So they are definitely harmufl...
U can try some anti spywares like Microsoft antispyware, Spyware Doctor, the latest Yahoo anti-spyware which is bundled with the Messenger package...

Answer 5

SPYWARE - Software that sends information about your Web surfing habits to its Web site. Often quickly installed in your computer in combination with a free download you selected from the Web, spyware transmits information in the background as you move around the Web. Also known as "parasite software," "scumware," "junkware" and "thiefware," spyware is occasionally installed just by visiting a Web site.

Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware – by design – exploits infected computers for commercial gain.

A piece of spyware rarely "lives" alone: an affected computer can rapidly become infected with large numbers of spyware components. Users frequently notice unwanted behavior and degradation of system performance. A spyware infestation can create significant unwanted CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic—slowing down legitimate uses of these resources. Stability issues—application or system crashes—are also common. Spyware which interferes with the networking software commonly causes difficulty connecting to the Internet.

Programs such as Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE and Patrick Kolla's Spybot - Search & Destroy rapidly gained popularity as effective tools to remove, and in some cases intercept, spyware programs. More recently Microsoft acquired the GIANT AntiSpyware software, rebadging it as Windows AntiSpyware beta and releasing it as a free download for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows 2003 users. In early spring, 2006, Microsoft renamed the beta software to Windows Defender, currently "beta 2." The renamed software for now exists as a time-limited beta test product that will expire (beta 1 in July 2006, and beta 2 in December, 2006). Microsoft has also announced that the product will ship (for free) with Windows Vista. Other well-known anti-spyware products include Webroot Spy Sweeper, PC Tools' Spyware Doctor, ParetoLogic's XoftSpy, and Sunbelt's CounterSpy.

Answer 6

Pestpatrol
Adaware
getting a firewall
Mcafee
Norton Antivirus

and stop visiting sites that could have spyware on them

Answer 7

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

This is a link for SpyBot Search and Destroy. you have to download it, and do a scan. Spyware can't harm your computer, however, it will allow outside users access to information that you may not want them to have.

Answer 8

well if u think u have got a spyware than get urself a anti spyware software............the best 1 that i know is spybot.............install and run and it will show u all the possible problems that are there in ur systerm and files that can harm ur systerm......try it and it may work

Answer 9

Try SpyBot Search & Destroy. It's free. You can download it here:
http://www.safer-networking.org/

You can read more about spyware here: http://gadgetnoob.blogspot.com

Answer 10

if your computer has spyware and adware it may not harm your computer but your computer's performance will be slowed alot

make sure you have upto date anti virus and anti spyware programs

some recommendations if you have none
Ad-Aware Free (Anti-spyware)
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-6

Zone Alarm Free (Firewall)
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm/3000-10435_4-10550364.html?tag=lst-0-2

AVG antivirus
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10543927.html?tag=lst-0-2

These are alll free programs that offer solid protection