Evolution.
(Banned)
- 3,722
I've recently seen a handful of spyware/adware topics complaining about suggestive ads or unwanted ads coming up when visiting GTP. After reading this tutorial, you should (hopefully) understand spyware/ad-ware better.
Chapters-
I. What Is It?
II. How Can I Tell If I Have It?
III. How Do I Get Rid Of It?
IV. How Do I Prevent It?
V. Links/Other Stuff
Chapter 1: What Is It?
Ah, the oh so popular term, spyware. To most people new to computers, it sounds like a program that spys on you. This is part true, part not. Spyware is similar to a "worm" but, on average, does less damage (or none). Spyware isn't as deadly as a virus can be, but it can be much more annoying (as alot of spyware can be horrid to get rid of). Spyware also has another nickname, Ad-Ware. Though Ad-Ware can be classified as a totally different thing, it pretty much has the same objective as spyware: Annoy the living hell out of the victim. Most spyware and ad-ware can be removed fairly easily with the right tools, but some just won't go away, and that is when it is time to get your hands dirty. Hopefully your system will never come to that point, but if it does, you better be prepared for thigns like registry editing, manual file deletion and *gasp* using the Command Prompt. This tutorial is here to aid you on your journey through the internet, and help you know what to do when you encounter spyware.
Chapter 2: How Can I Tell If I Have It?
Figuring out that you have it can be the easy, or difficult part, depending on what you have attracted. If it is a bug aimed at slowing your system down, then you'll easily notice because, well, it will slow your system down. Other signs are overly-excessive popups, slow internet (when you have a generally faster connection) and random errors, lockups or restarts. You can also scan with some programs to find out what you have (but that will be covered in the next section). Many types of spyware come in the form of "Cookies". Cookies, yum, right? Nope. Cookies are data files that store information for a certain host. If you frequent a forum, and choose "save my password" for the next time you log in, this places a cookie on your computer, so it iwll remember to log in. Not all cookies are bad. Harmless cookies can be good (depending on what they are there for). Some cookies are just a waste of 12 KB on your hard drive. You might be able to tell if you have an infected cookie if you get excessive popups, slow internet (or of course, the above reasons). Now, on to getting rid of this crap.
Chapter 3: How Do I Get Rid Of It?
Most spyware can be removed with programs like Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Ad-Aware (click for download) is a great, easy to use program that gets rid of alot of things Spybot won't (mostly ad-ware items). The newly released SE personal version is great for removing most nasty objects like Gator,FreeBSD,IE Tracking Cookies and other ad-ware items. It generally gets rid of about 80% of the nasty stuff on your system, but that 20% that remains could be the worst of it. That's where Spybot: Search & Destroy (click for download) comes in. This program has a rougher GUI and is a more advanced program, but gets rid of about 90% of the spyware you may find, and detects about 99% of it. This is the best you can get for free. Update frequently with both programs to get the best protection possible. When you get these programs, update them, then run a full system scan. If it finds objects, have them quarintined or deleted to ensure your computer is safe. (Please read the Links&Other Stuff chapter for many more programs to protect yourself). Sometimes objects won't come out, and you have to call a professional. Usually getting most bugs out requires editing the registry or, in the VERY worst case, formatting the hard drive. Hopefully this won't happen to you.
Chapter 4: How do I Prevent Myself From Getting It?
Spyware and adware is almost unavoidable for the average internet user, but the majority of it CAN be prevented. There are programs, popup blockers and many other methods of keeping yourself safe. Microsoft Anti-Spyware is a great way to scan,remove and prevent spyware AND adware from getting into your system. It also scans your memory during tests, do get out those pests that can really effect your computer speed. Here are some more tips on keeping your computer safe:
-Don't Click On Suspicious Ads
-Get a Popup Blocker
-Never click on popups that are advertising something.
-Never download files from an untrusted source.
-Don't download Kazaa. Ever.
-Weatherbug is a nuisance too, don't buy into it.
There are more programs below but the only thing I can HIGHLY reccomend for prevention is Mozilla Firefox . This is a new web browser that is revolutionary to mankind. Ever since I installed this , those IE tracking cookies and Cache Spyware are gone. I haven't had more than 5 spyware items in a month since I installed this baby. I suggest you install it too.
Chapter 5: Links & Other Stuff
Programs:
-Popup Blockers
Mozilla Firefox Browser
Mozilla Firefox: AdBlock Extension
Super Ad Blocker
-Anti-Spyware
Spybot: Search & Destroy
SpywareBlaster
Ad-Aware
Microsoft Anti-Spyware
-More Information
Spyware Glossary
Download.com Spyware Center
Spyware Explained (PDF)
How To: Remove Spyware With Spybot: Search & Destroy
I hope this helped!
Special Thanks To:
Download.com
CTT
GTPlanet.net
Lavasoft
Chapters-
I. What Is It?
II. How Can I Tell If I Have It?
III. How Do I Get Rid Of It?
IV. How Do I Prevent It?
V. Links/Other Stuff
Chapter 1: What Is It?
Ah, the oh so popular term, spyware. To most people new to computers, it sounds like a program that spys on you. This is part true, part not. Spyware is similar to a "worm" but, on average, does less damage (or none). Spyware isn't as deadly as a virus can be, but it can be much more annoying (as alot of spyware can be horrid to get rid of). Spyware also has another nickname, Ad-Ware. Though Ad-Ware can be classified as a totally different thing, it pretty much has the same objective as spyware: Annoy the living hell out of the victim. Most spyware and ad-ware can be removed fairly easily with the right tools, but some just won't go away, and that is when it is time to get your hands dirty. Hopefully your system will never come to that point, but if it does, you better be prepared for thigns like registry editing, manual file deletion and *gasp* using the Command Prompt. This tutorial is here to aid you on your journey through the internet, and help you know what to do when you encounter spyware.
Chapter 2: How Can I Tell If I Have It?
Figuring out that you have it can be the easy, or difficult part, depending on what you have attracted. If it is a bug aimed at slowing your system down, then you'll easily notice because, well, it will slow your system down. Other signs are overly-excessive popups, slow internet (when you have a generally faster connection) and random errors, lockups or restarts. You can also scan with some programs to find out what you have (but that will be covered in the next section). Many types of spyware come in the form of "Cookies". Cookies, yum, right? Nope. Cookies are data files that store information for a certain host. If you frequent a forum, and choose "save my password" for the next time you log in, this places a cookie on your computer, so it iwll remember to log in. Not all cookies are bad. Harmless cookies can be good (depending on what they are there for). Some cookies are just a waste of 12 KB on your hard drive. You might be able to tell if you have an infected cookie if you get excessive popups, slow internet (or of course, the above reasons). Now, on to getting rid of this crap.
Chapter 3: How Do I Get Rid Of It?
Most spyware can be removed with programs like Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Ad-Aware (click for download) is a great, easy to use program that gets rid of alot of things Spybot won't (mostly ad-ware items). The newly released SE personal version is great for removing most nasty objects like Gator,FreeBSD,IE Tracking Cookies and other ad-ware items. It generally gets rid of about 80% of the nasty stuff on your system, but that 20% that remains could be the worst of it. That's where Spybot: Search & Destroy (click for download) comes in. This program has a rougher GUI and is a more advanced program, but gets rid of about 90% of the spyware you may find, and detects about 99% of it. This is the best you can get for free. Update frequently with both programs to get the best protection possible. When you get these programs, update them, then run a full system scan. If it finds objects, have them quarintined or deleted to ensure your computer is safe. (Please read the Links&Other Stuff chapter for many more programs to protect yourself). Sometimes objects won't come out, and you have to call a professional. Usually getting most bugs out requires editing the registry or, in the VERY worst case, formatting the hard drive. Hopefully this won't happen to you.
Chapter 4: How do I Prevent Myself From Getting It?
Spyware and adware is almost unavoidable for the average internet user, but the majority of it CAN be prevented. There are programs, popup blockers and many other methods of keeping yourself safe. Microsoft Anti-Spyware is a great way to scan,remove and prevent spyware AND adware from getting into your system. It also scans your memory during tests, do get out those pests that can really effect your computer speed. Here are some more tips on keeping your computer safe:
-Don't Click On Suspicious Ads
-Get a Popup Blocker
-Never click on popups that are advertising something.
-Never download files from an untrusted source.
-Don't download Kazaa. Ever.
-Weatherbug is a nuisance too, don't buy into it.
There are more programs below but the only thing I can HIGHLY reccomend for prevention is Mozilla Firefox . This is a new web browser that is revolutionary to mankind. Ever since I installed this , those IE tracking cookies and Cache Spyware are gone. I haven't had more than 5 spyware items in a month since I installed this baby. I suggest you install it too.
Chapter 5: Links & Other Stuff
Programs:
-Popup Blockers
Mozilla Firefox Browser
Mozilla Firefox: AdBlock Extension
Super Ad Blocker
-Anti-Spyware
Spybot: Search & Destroy
SpywareBlaster
Ad-Aware
Microsoft Anti-Spyware
-More Information
Spyware Glossary
Download.com Spyware Center
Spyware Explained (PDF)
How To: Remove Spyware With Spybot: Search & Destroy
I hope this helped!
Special Thanks To:
Download.com
CTT
GTPlanet.net
Lavasoft
)
