Spyware Removal

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Statistics indicate that as many as 90 percent of all computer users have been infected with spyware or adware at one time. Every time you surf the Internet, watch videos, download a file, you risk corruption from spyware or adware.

The term spyware was first heard in the mid 1990s in an article targeted at Microsoft. In 2000, the term spyware was associated with a program for a personal firewall, and soon afterward became a common term. The first anti-spyware program, developed in the late 90s, was “Optout”. Created by Steve Gibson, it was his solution to preventing spyware on his computer.

A basic definition of spyware today is, “computer software that obtains information from a user’s computer without the user’s knowledge or consent.” Known also as malware, its primary purpose is to collect and transmit information for advertising purposes. Spyware is most commonly installed through shareware or freeware programs, causing significant damage to a computer. Spyware can cause re-directs to sites on the Web, change a user’s homepage, change computer settings causing slower connection speeds, and interfere with the overall functionality of the computer. Spyware can also collect information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Once integrated into the system, spyware uses valuable memory resources and bandwidth. The former can cause erratic crashes while the latter slows internet activity.

Adware is a program aimed at users who do not wish to pay for software. Often bundled with “freeware”, adware is the software developer’s answer to revenue by integrating advertisements into the software. An example would be free software you utilize in “sponsor mode” that may have an advertisement window visible each time the software is used. Adware is considered legitimate in these cases and installed with the user‘s knowledge. Normally the adware can be removed simply by paying for the software license. This type of adware is considered non-malicious. Adware that is downloaded by clicking on a pop-up advertisement, or piggybacked on some shareware/freeware can be malicious and exploit holes in your system’s security. Some adware can be downloaded simply by visiting a website on the Internet.

If you are Internet active, you need spyware and adware protection software. These programs will identify and remove threats from your system during a scan process as well as protect you in real-time. There are many programs on the market today for this purpose, such as Spyware Doctor from PC Tools. Like other anti-spyware programs, Spyware Doctor will perform complete scans of your computer to identify and remove any infections. Most spyware protection software is non-intrusive and performs all its tasks in the background, protecting the user in real-time. Programs such as Spyware Doctor are highly configurable with a wide range of options.

Adware can be removed by software specifically designed for that purpose, but may also be removed by some spyware protection programs. Spyware Doctor can detect and remove spyware and adware. Adware removal software will perform the same function as spyware protection programs, scanning your system for threats and removing or quarantining them.

To protect yourself from spyware, install spyware protection software. Make certain you update daily to avoid new threats. Perform daily or weekly scans. Most programs can be configured to perform these steps automatically. Run the software each time you use the computer for real-time protection.

Protecting yourself from adware is much the same process. Utilize a software for this purpose and run scans daily or weekly. Make certain your threat database is current. Run the software in the background to protect you. Be aware that some free software will not run when adware is removed.