Tips To Detect And Remove Spyware

Spyware is a program or application that gets installed on a computer without the user's knowledge while they are browsing the Internet. It is capable of performing quite a range of destructive tasks such as displaying unwanted ads, monitoring your web surfing patterns and passing them on unsolicited, and stealing your password.

Spyware can infiltrate your system from various sources such as the free download sites you surf or from the popup ads that you click anywhere on, except the close sign. Another source of potential Spyware infection is a keylogger, which records all that you type on the screen including your passwords, account numbers, confidential mails and online chat sessions.

Users face the risk of their PC crashing if they do not equip them with effective anti-virus programs and if they do not update them at regular intervals.

How To Detect Spyware

The following automatic changes on your computer screen or account indicate that your PC has been infected:

* The homepage is changed without your attempting to do it. * The Internet Explorer Favorites list is altered. * There are new desktop icons for programs that have downloaded without your knowledge. * Some ads are popping up on your screen even if you are offline. * Trojans have changed the regular icons of your programs. * The webpage does not show the contents unless and until you refresh it several times. * The system takes a long time to start-up and load your settings after a reboot session. * The PC speed becomes unusually slower than before. * Certain programs like the Notepad, Windows Media Player, Task Manager, Regedit or MSConfig have a problem in opening or shut down immediately after opening. * A huge loss of Internet access.

How To Get Rid Of Spyware

To avoid Spyware from ruining your computer, you need to make sure that it does not get downloaded in the first place. One way to do so is by keeping the 'install on demand' option turned OFF by following the simple steps mentioned below:

* Work on a new browser window. * Select tools and go to the Internet options. * Choose the option of advanced button. * Scroll down the list of advanced options and UNCHECK the option named "Enable install on demand". * Click OK for final confirmation.

To enable the feature of downloading files and yet keep Spyware at bay, you should save the following setup after the above process:

* In a new browser, click on tools. * Select the Security button from the Internet options. * In there, the option of custom will open up a list of choices. * Click on the "installation of desktop item" and set to "prompt". * You are required to press OK for confirming the settings.

In case your PC is already infected with Spyware, you may follow certain tips to remove it. Start with scanning your PC completely and then proceed with the following:

* In a new browser window, select 'tools' option. * After selecting the Internet option, click on 'delete cookie' and confirm the deletion by clicking OK. * Subsequently, choose the option of 'delete files' and 'delete all offline content' separately and press OK for both.