A Simple Guide to Spyware Removal

You’ve got spyware!

That is the bad news if you experience any of these with your computer: never-ending pop-up ads, repeated system error messages, significant slowdown of normal software operations, your web browser's home page is changed and you cannot change it back, or forced re-directing of web pages to advertising sites. And chances are you have several of these problems going on at the same time. It is annoying, isn't it? It may even be destructive to your internet experience and your normal life.

The good news is that you are not alone. Research statistics indicates that 90% of the world’s PCs are infected with spyware. It has become the number one security threat to personal computers.

What is spyware or adware?

Spyware or adware is a malicious software that spies on your internet surfing habits and your personal or financial information. It tracks your activities on the internet and submits them to advertisers. It may also try to find your personal or financial information and report it to the attacker. The worst result can be identity theft, a disastrous situation for you and your family.

How did I get infected with spyware?

Spyware often comes bundled with other software that tricks you to install the add-on piece without you realizing it. Your computer system can also be infected when you surf the internet, share files, install applications, or download music, photos, or video. Spyware is often installed on your system by exploiting security flaws in your Web browser.

How do I remove spyware and protect myself?

The easiest and effective way to fight spyware is to install good anti-spyware programs or spyware removers. And maybe two of them. Let me explain.

Anti-spyware programs or spyware removers have two major functions in fighting spyware. 1) detection and removal of spyware in your computer, and 2) protection against the installation of spyware. There are some pretty good programs on the market, but no single one can protect you against 100% of all the spyware and adware on the internet. It is recommended that you use at least two anti-spyware programs to achieve better protection. You can keep one program running in the background at all time, preventing the installation of spyware. And you run the other program on a weekly basis to scan your computer, identifying and removing bad boys missed by the first program.

How do I choose an anti-spyware program or spyware remover?

There are wide varieties of anti-spyware programs and spyware removers. They vary in their functionalites and user interfaces, and a lot of them do a decent job of protecting you from spyware. You will need at least one program that offers the real-time protection capability, unlike the free program such as Ad-aware or Spybot Search and Destroy.

No matter which programs you use, be protected and happy surfing!