Can someone tell me WHERE on my pc would I find a spyware program?

Question

I am alomst positive that some1 has put a spyware program on my PC, (jealous spouse whom I am divorcing) but he access to the PC when he is here w/ the children, I know he has done it before, but I dont know how to find it. It'll be the type that he can view all webpages I have visited, including email, and pages with security locked accounts.. HELP!!

** I tried to run the sweeper, and as soon as it starts to load the file, it disappears, and wont download. Does that make any sense, could he have installed a block against sweepers?

Answer 1

You don't know how to see what programs are actually on your computer? You need to wake up and take control of this computer. Just because he visits your children, does not give him the right to have access to your computer. I don't know what operating system you have, but I'm guessing anything from Windows 98 to Win2000, or WinXP. At any rate, click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, and Add/Remove Programs, Then click on the Show updates box at the top. When the list loads, look for something that doesn't look familiar to you. Don't remove any office type programs, or SpyBot or Ad-Aware, if you have those, or your antivirus programs. Uninstall anything else, then close the control panel and restart the computer. If you needed the program, you can download and install it again.

Or, before you take that drastic step, click on Start, Programs and look at the complete list of programs without having to remove anything. If there is a keylogger or tracker, it will show up there.

You must learn more about your computer if you are going to have to put up with this.

Answer 2

Run your anti-spyware in Safe Mode.If your current anti-spyware can't prevent spyware from Invading you computer,download a better one.
There are top 5 anti-spywares reviews,comparisons and download links on

http://www.spywaredetectors.info

You can download and scan your computer for free.

As the computer is booting press your "F8 Key" repeatly which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" . Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.

After into safe mode,run an anti-spyware to remove the spyware and adware on you computer.

Make sure you have 1 or 2 antispyware on your computer and 1 antivirus and also 1 firewall.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx



Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.


Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.

Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...

Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....

Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.

You must change or put a password on your computer. Noone can access it without that password. Make sure it is not something easily guessed.

Answer 4

Try following the steps below. Afterwards you should change your password and remove his administrator rights if he still is an admin.

Firstly update and run your anti-virus product. You can also run a free online scan as well as some malware can actually corrupt or disable your resident security products. Here are a few online scans you can run:
Trend - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda - http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
Norton - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Second download, update and run scans using the following products:
SuperAntispyware
http://superantispyware.com/
Spybot S&D (free version requires manual updating)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
AVG AntiSpyware
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5
Adaware from Lavasoft (free version requires automatic updating)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

(These programs can be run in Safe Mode after downloading and updating)

Third, after cleaning your system, disable System Restore, reboot and re-enable System Restore when you log back on. This will clear the malware that may still be lurking in System Restore, which could be reinstalled should you need to rollback at some point. Additionally, a reboot may be required to complete the malware removal process.

Lastly, you may also want to install the following tool. It is free and requires you to check for and enable updates manually once a week or so. It uses no system resources.
SpywareBlaster (inoculates, not a spyware removal tool)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
================================
If you cannot get it removed after the above, you may want to join a tech group that specializes in providing manual instructions on malware eradication.

Free technical help forums

AumHa Forums
http://aumha.net/index.php
Bleeping Computers
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
Spybot S&D Forums
http://forums.spybot.info/
Lavasoft Forums
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/
Spyware Info Forums
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=79038
GeekstoGo
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html

Answer 5

it is possible that he could put a keylogger or spyware type thing on your pc but thats just a guess.
i would make sure you have windows up todate (windows updates)
get your anti-virus up todate and do a full scan
get a spyware program
adaware
www.lavasoft.com
spybot s&d
www.safer-networking.org
get both up todate, reboot and do a full scan
if there is anything malicious on your pc they'll pick it up.

you stated that he uses the pc, if you put your children on a limited user account (control panel/user account) that will prevent any programs frm being installed or removed by them and him

Answer 6

The problem with lucee's comments is that the programs that do what you are worried about HIDE and don't show up on the programs or ADD/REMOVE lists.
Read through the other comments and pick what makes the most sense to you.

Answer 7

http://aresforum.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=326#326
a list of free security programs i found that the majority of users perfer.

your talking about a key logger. i would visit that link i gave you. install one them safeboot and delete all it find's.

for a trial version that work's great is webroot spysweeper.
http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/
this here will definitely find those keylogger's. hidden or otherwise.

also after you have found and deleted the keylogger, you will need to start changing passwords for any and all account's you have made. put kids on a limited account.