Spyware

Spyware, also know as adware is a result of advertising companies that install tracking software on your system, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.....

Spyware is not an illegal type of software in any way. However there are certain issues that a privacy oriented user may object to and therefore prefer not to use the product. This usually involves the tracking and sending of data and statistics via a server installed on the user's PC and the use of your Internet connection in the background.

Ad-Aware

Ad-aware Instructions from Westelcom Tech Support

Downloading the Program:
Click Here To Download Ad-Aware

When the screen comes up, choose Save to disk.
This will bring up a window that shows the files on your computer.
In the top line, (Save in) make sure the word "Desktop" is showing. If it isn't, click the drop down arrow to the right and choose it from the list (or with XP click on Desktop on the left).
Click Save at the bottom right.
This will start downloading the file to your computer. It may take quite a few minutes but when it finishes, stay on line but close the Internet Explorer.
 

Installing The Program:
On your desktop, locate the file named “aaw6".
Double-click this file and just keep clicking "Next” until you get to “Finish”.
After you click finish, you should see another icon on your desktop. (It will refer to Ad-aware 6.) Double-click this icon and the program will start.
 

Running The Program:
Be sure to update the program with the link that says "Check for updates now".
After completing the update hit Start to choose the scan to do.
Set it to "Use custom scanning options", then click on "customize" and change every red X into a green check, click on "Proceed" to continue.
Then hit "Next" and the scan will begin.
After 5 to 30 minutes the scan will complete, hit "Next" and it will have a list of everything that the scan found. You want everything in the list checked, so right-click on the list anywhere, then left-click on "Select all objects". When you hit next it will remove everything that it found. It may prompt you about doing a scan on the next system startup. If it does tell it that you do want to do one.

Unlike Ad-Aware SpySweeper will only allow you to update the program once, after that they make you pay for any future updates. However it still works on the same basis as Ad-aware.

SpySweeper
Click Here To Download SpySweeper

When the screen comes up, choose “Save to disk”.
This will bring up a window that shows the files on your computer.
In the top line, (Save in) make sure the word “Desktop” is showing. If it isn’t, click the drop down arrow to the right and choose it from the list (or with XP click on Desktop on the left).
Click “Save” at the bottom right.

Installing The Program
On your desktop, locate the file named "ssfsetup1_11255814.exe"
Double-click this file and then select "Yes"
Select I Accept on the license agreement, and then select the Install button
After you select Install it will ask for you e-mail address, just select "Skip" in this window, then the installation will begin
After the install had been completed you will given options at the end, Just Un-Check all of the boxes, and select close.
Close your browser that opens up after the install.

Running The Program
On your desktop Double-Click "Spy-Sweeper"
On the left had side of the program click the "Sweep Now" and then select "Start" and then scan will begin
After 5 to 30 minutes the scan will complete, hit "Next" and it will have a list of everything that the scan found. Click the "Select All" button Select "Next" and SpySweeper will remove all items it has found. Click Finish, Close SpySweeper and then restart your computer.

Attention
The following is a partial list of SCUMWARE.  Most of these programs claim to improve performance, or to clean your computer of infections.  In many cases, the “found” infection is a false warning, and they want you to buy their program to clean it.  There are many sites on the Internet that provide information on these and other “less than stellar” software.  While the list below is not all-inclusive, you should, in my opinion, avoid them at all costs!

AdDestroyer
AdProtector
Adware Agent
AdwareHunter
ADS Adware Remover
AdWare Remover Gold
AdwareSpy
AdwareX
AdwareX Eliminator
Anonymizer Spyware Killer
AntiSpy & PopStopper
BPS Spyware Remover
BPS Spyware & Adware Remover
Computer Shield
Drive Cleaner
eAcceleration
Easy Spyware Killer
Eblocs
Hacker Smacker
Internet AntiSpy
JC Spyware Remover & Adware Killer
Kazaa Platinum
Kazanon
Lop Uninstaller
MailWiper
MaxNetShield
MP3U
NetSpyProtector
NoAdware
NoSpyX
Online PC-Fix
PAL Spyware Remover
pcOrion
PC ToolWorks 2003
Popup Guard
Privacy Defender
PurityScan
PuritySweep
Real AdWareRemoverGold
ScanSpyware
SpyAssasin
SpyAssault
SpyBan
SpyBlast
SpyBlocs
SpyBouncer
SpyBurn
SpyClean
SpyCleaner
SpyDeleter
SpyDoctor
SpyEliminator
SpyFerret
Spy Gone
Spy Guardian Pro
SpyHunter
Spyinator
SpyKiller
SpyKiller 2004
SpyKillerPro
SpyMagic
Spyware & Pop-Up Utility
Spyware Annihilator
SpywareAssasin
SpywareBeGone
SpywareCleaner
Spyware Cleaner & Pop-Up Blocker
Spyware C.O.P.
SpywareCrusher
SpywareKilla
SpyWare Killer
SpywareNuker
SpywareRemover
Spyware Stormer
SpywareThis
SpywareZapper
SpyWiper
S Scanner
Stop-Sign
System Detective
The Shield
The Shield 2004
The Web Shield
TZ Spyware Adware Remover
VBouncer
Veloz
Virtual Bouncer
Virus Guard
Windows Antivirus 2004
XoftSpy
xp-AntiSpy
Xupiter Uninstaller
ZeroSpyware