Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware Resources
Computer Security Essentials for Everyone

Detecting Spyware

Spyware is often hard to detect and remove from your computer before it is too late.  There are various types of spyware, with different purposes.  Some of the more malicious spyware and adware-spyware programs can record your keystrokes (these are known as keyloggers) and transmit the data to the spyware owner.  If you have a keylogger running on your system, someone could be capturing personal information such as passwords and account numbers without your knowledge.  Other nasty spyware might silently search your computer for personal information such as social security numbers, and transmit this to an unscrupulous webmaster across the globe.  All without you even knowing you have spyware on your computer.

Spyware Symptoms

Many spyware programs cause symptoms that would lead you to suspect spyware.  Common symptoms of a spyware infected computer are slow computer performance, pop up ads that never seem to stop, or a new website that suddenly appears as your home page.  If your computer is showing any of these spyware symptoms, stop what you're doing and install a spyware detection and removal program right away.  Spyware is nothing to ignore, as it can quickly steal your personal information such as bank account numbers, drivers license number, social security number, etc....  In the hands of the wrong person, your identity could be stolen or your bank account wiped out.

Spyware Detection Tools

Since you cannot always see symptoms of spyware on your computer, and because of it's ever increasing presence on the internet today, it is strongly recommended that all computers have anti spyware software installed.  A good anti spyware program will regularly scan your system for spyware and let you know what is found.  If you use the internet and have never scanned your computer for spyware, you will most likely be amazed at what the spyware scanner finds on your system.  Depending on your surfing habits, and whether or not you download software - you could easily have 50 or more spyware or adware related items on your computer, even if your computer is showing no common symptoms of spyware or adware. 

Many good spyware detection tools exist today, and several of them are free.  If downloaded from a reputable site that offers a legitimate spyware detector (many unscrupulous sites offering tools to detect and remove spyware are actually installing spyware on your system - be careful where you get spyware detection software), spyware scanning may or may not find all the spyware on your system.  This is because there are so many different variants of spyware software.  See our page  on spyware removers and anti-spyware software for information.  We have also provided links to some good free spyware removers that are legitimate.

If you think you have spyware, scan your computer with at least two different anti spyware programs for a better chance of detecting it.  If you still experience spyware symptoms after performing a few different spyware scans, it is possible that the spyware will have to be manually removed.  Manual spyware removal can be difficult and cumbersome, and it is sometimes easier to just reformat your hard drive and reinstall your operating system.  Some good links that can be used to research hard-to-remove spyware can be found on our spyware resources page. 

Call in the experts - Hijack This

If you have spyware on your computer that cannot be removed by anti spyware scanners, try Hijack This.  This software will generate a log file that can be sent to experts on the internet who will help you identify nasty spyware that cannot be destroyed by the usual anti spyware software.  Once identified, you can usually find information on how to manually remove the malware.  Hijack This is normally used as a last resort, when all other methods fail.  It is not designed for inexperienced users, but fortunately there are lots of folks on the internet who can help you with this.

Spyware Scan

Several websites offer a free spyware scan, that will look into your computer and tell you if you have hidden spyware.  This free service is for scanning and detection of spyware and adware only, not removal.  Please see our Spyware Scan page for information and links to legitimate sites that offer a free scan

Utilizing a free online spyware scan is a good idea if you think you might have spyware on your computer.  Because each anti spyware vendor's product differs in detection methods as well as in the spyware database used, it's a good idea to scan your computer at several different websites.  Please scan your computer for spyware only at legitimate websites, as this is an intrusive procedure.  In order to scan, you have to agree to let the scanning software into your computer.  Always use a scanning service from a reputable source.

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