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Malware is any type of file downloaded to your computer without your knowledge that affects your Internet performance. There are many types of malware, with adware and spyware being the most common. Adware on your computer records different websites you visit and links you click on to target you with unsolicited advertisements of related products and services. These advertisements usually take the form of pop-up windows, which can drastically slow down your web-browsing, hide windows you are working with, and even lock up your computer.
Spyware on your computer can record keystrokes and information you submit in forms online to record personal and private information about you. This information is often used to steal your credit card numbers and commit identity fraud. It is a good idea to scan your computer for malicious adware and spyware programs and files and remove them from your computer often. We recommend doing so whenever web pages begin loading slowly, pop-up windows get out of control while you are browsing the Internet, or at least once a week. Below are instructions for downloading, installing, and running the two most popular FREE malware removal programs, Ad-aware and Spybot.
How to install Ad-Aware 2008 on a Windows XP computer
NOTE
The manufacturer of Ad-Aware offers three versions of the application: A free
version does not require a fee (freeware) and the "Pro" and "Plus" versions that
require a fee. These instructions are for the freeware version of Ad-Aware and
are based on installing the application on a Windows XP computer. If you are
using a Windows computer with a different operating system, some of the windows,
dialog boxes, or prompts may appear slightly different. However, their function
should remain the same.
You should scan your computer using Ad-Aware at least once every two weeks.
1. Use a browser (e.g., Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer) to connect to the Internet.
2. Connect to the Lavasoft web site [http://www.lavasoftusa.com/]. You will see the Lavasoft home page.
3. On the right-hand side of the window, click the DOWNLOAD Ad-Aware Free button.
4. You will see a Lavasoft download window.
5. To download the freeware version of Ad-Aware, click the Download button on the left-hand side of the screen.
6. You will see a dialog box that asks you whether you want to save the file.
7. Click Save File. The Ad-Aware installation file should be saved to your computer's desktop.
8. Close the browser and navigate to your computer's desktop. You will see an icon for the Ad-Aware installation file.
9. Double-click the Ad-Aware installation file. You will see an Ad-Aware dialog box, which requests you to select the language you want to use. Highlight the language and then click OK.
10. After a few seconds you will see the Ad-Aware 2008 Setup dialog box. The instructions in the window tell you to close all Windows applications before you begin the installation process. After you close all applications. Click Next.
11. You will see the Software License Agreement dialog box. Click the radio button in front of I accept the license agreement.
12. Click Next. The next dialog box will have fields for your full name and organization.
13. Type your full name and the name of the organization in the appropriate fields. Click Next.
14. The next dialog box, prompts you to choose whether you want Standard installation or Advanced Installation. Click the radio button in front of Standard installation. Click Next.
15. You will see a dialog box that indicates where the files for the application will be saved. Click Next.
16. If you see a dialog box that prompts you to Please Enter Your License Information, click Use Free. You will not have license information because you downloaded the freeware version.
17. When the installation process is complete, click Finish.
18. The application will open and you should see the Main Status window.
19. After you have installed Ad-Aware 2008, follow the instructions to learn how to use it.
How to use Ad-Aware 2008 on a Windows XP computer
1. Double-click the Ad-Aware 2008 icon located on your computer's desktop.
2. The Main Status screen will be the first window to appear.
3. Each time you start Ad-Aware, always update the application's definition files (i.e., information used to identify spyware and malware). Your computer must be connected to the Internet to update definitions. To check for updates, locate the Definitions Status section in the middle of the Main Status window.
4. Click Update. If new definition files are available, follow the on screen directions to update the definition files.
5. When the updates have completed, click OK.
6. To scan your computer, click the Scan Now button located on the right-hand side of the Main Status window.
7. Click the radio button to the left of Full Scan (second option) to thoroughly scan your computer.
8. Click Scan in the lower-right corner of the window.
9. The application will begin to scan your computer. Depending on the type of computer you have and the number of applications and data files you have, the scan may take several minutes to finish. You should see a window that indicates the application's progress.
10. When the scan is complete, you should see the Scan Results window.
11. To delete Critical Objects that have been detected, click the Remove button.
12. To delete Privacy Objects that have been detected, click on the Privacy Objects tab. .
13. Click in the checkboxes in front of all of the items detected.
14. Click the Remove button.
15. Click Finish. You should see a scan summary window.
16. When you are done, close the application.
Installing and Using Spybot Search & Destroy
NOTE:
These instructions are for installing Spybot Search & Destroy on a Windows XP
computer. If you are using a Windows computer with a different operating system,
some of the windows, dialog boxes, or prompts may appear slightly different.
However, their function should remain the same.
You should update and run Spybot Search & Destroy at least once every two weeks.
Installing Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6.0
1. Use a browser (e.g., Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer) to connect to the Internet.
2. Connect to the Spybot S&D web site [http://www.safer-networking.org/]. You will see the Spybot home page.
3. On the top right-hand side of the window, click the DOWNLOAD button.
4. You will see a Spybot download page.
5. Scroll down a few lines and click Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.6.0.
6. On the next page you will see a table with four download locations. Clicking on one of them will lead you to a page offering the download.
Note: Each of these pages is a bit different, but you should be able to find the download link there without problems.
7. You will see a dialog box that asks you whether you want to save the file.
8. Click Save File. The Spybot installation file should be saved to your computer's desktop.
9. Close the browser and navigate to your computer's desktop. You will see an icon for the Spybot installation file.
10. Double-click the Spybot installation file. You will see a Spybot dialog box, which requests you to select the language you want to use and click OK.
11. On the Welcome screen click Next.
12. On the License Agreement screen, select "I Accept the agreement" and click Next.
13. On the Select Destination Location screen click Next.
14. On the Select Components, place a checkmark in each box to select all of the components and then click Next.
15. On the Select Start Menu Folder screen click Next.
16.
On the Select Additional Tasks
screen, select the addition tasks you would like Setup to perform and click
Next.
Note: We recommend not checking the Use system
settings protection (Tea Timer) as this feature can slow down the performance of
the computer.
17. On the Ready to Install screen click Install.
18.
After Spybot has finished
installing, click Finish.
Note: NetPlus recommends not checking the Install
Security Center Integration or the Activate Security Center Integration as this
feature can slow down the performance of the computer.
19.
When initially launched,
Spybot will ask you to create a registry back up. Click the Create registry
backup button.
NOTE: You can safely ignore any compatibility
warnings between Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware, if you have Ad-Aware
installed as well.
20. After creating a registry backup, Spybot will prompt you to check for product updates. While connected to the Internet, click the Search for updates button. You will need to select a download place to download the updates from. For example, if you are living in the USA, select a location from the USA and click Continue. If updates are found, check them and click the Download button. When the updates are finished downloading, click Exit.
21.
Once up-to-date, you should apply some basic Immunization by clicking
Immunize this system.
Note: There is a known issue with Spybot and Vista
that will not let you immunize the system unless you "run as administrator."
22.
Now that all the initial settings have been done, click Start using
the program.
Updating and Using Spybot Search & Destroy
1. Start Spybot by double-clicking on the Spybot icon your desktop or selecting Spybot from the Start menu (Start > All Programs > Spybot Search & Destroy > Spybot Search & Destroy).
2. While connected to the Internet, click the Search for Updates button.
3.
You will need to select a download place to download the updates from.
For example, if you are living in the USA, select a location from the USA and
click Continue.
If updates are found, check them and click the Download button. When the
updates are finished downloading, click Exit.
4. After downloading updates, click the Search & Destroy icon on the left, then click the Check for problems button to scan your computer.
If spyware problems are detected, click the Fix selected problems button, then click Yes and OK to confirm the removal of the objects.