Securing Your Computer: Antispyware Scanners

From CastleCopsWiki

Jump to: navigation, search

Now use at least two of the following three spyware/adware removal programs:

Ad-Aware

Download Ad-Aware SE and install it. If you already have Ad-aware Second Edition (SE), please configure it per instructions below. (Note that Ad-Aware SE is free for non-commercial, non-governmental, and non-educational use.) If you have a previous version of Ad-Aware, please install Build 1.06 available here from Castle Cops.

Launch Ad-Aware and update the Definition Files by clicking on 'Check for Updates now' in the lower right hand corner. Then, to run:

  1. Click on "Scan now"
  2. Uncheck "Search for negligible risk entries"
  3. Check "Search for low risk entries"
  4. Check "Perform a full system scan"
  5. Click the 'Next" button in the lower right hand corner. to begin scanning.
  6. When the scan has completed, select Next.
  7. In the Scanning Results window, select the "Scan Summary" tab.
  8. Check the box next to each "target family" you wish to remove.
  9. Click next, Click OK.
  10. Shutdown/restart the computer.

Please consult The CastleCops Ad-Aware FAQ if you are seeking answers to your questions about Ad-Aware.

If additional assistance is needed, help is available from the CastleCops Ad-Aware SE Support Forum

Spybot Search & Destroy

Download Spybot Search & Destroy and install it.

  1. Run Spybot and allow it to create a backup of your registry when prompted.
  2. Click on "Search for Updates".
  3. If any updates are found, place a check mark next to each one.
  4. Click on "Download Updates".
  5. Click on "Immunize" [When it detects what has or has not been blocked, block all remaining items].
  6. Do this by clicking the green plus sign next to immunize at the top.
  7. Click on "Check for Problems" and if any problems are found, click on "Fix Selected Problems".
  8. Reboot your computer.


Bleeping Computer's Setup & Configuration Instructions

Tom Coyote's Tutorial & Help

Questions or problems with Spybot S&D can be posted at The CastleCops Spybot Search & Destroy Forum

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta

Windows 2000 and XP users can find information and download links for The Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta

Please note: The Microsoft download site will require you to validate your copy of WIndows before allowing you to download this program.

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta: Minimum System Requirements

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
  • A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
  • Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows ServerT 2003
  • At least 10 MB of available free space on your hard disk
  • Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to use SpyNetT

Please download and install the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta v. 1.0.615 using all default installation options. You must update the definitions prior to running a scan, by clicking on the File menu and then selecting 'Check for Updates.' Once updating is complete you may set your scan options by clicking the Bulls Eye labeled Scan Options.

Set the program to 'Run a full system scan' and make sure all the following settings are checked:

  1. Scan memory locations and running processes
  2. Scan selected drives/folders
  3. Deep Scan folders (recommended but will increase scan time)

Then click on the Select link to the right of Scan selected drives/folders and a new screen will appear. Select all the hard drives in your machine that you would like to scan for infections. Next, Click the OK button and you will be back at the settings screen. Put a checkmark in the Save these options checkbox, to save these settings and then click on the Run Scan Now button.

When the scan is complete, you will be presented with your spyware scan results. Take the default action suggested by Microsoft AntiSpyware to deal with all threats found. By putting a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Create restore point, you will create a backup from which you may restore any items which have been selected for removal. Once you have selected an action for all threats found in the spyware scan results, you need to turn off the Microsoft Anti-Spyware realtime protection for the duration of your clean up, and then reboot your computer.

For more detailed instructions consult The Bleeping Computer Microsoft AntiSpyware Tutorial

Please direct any questions you may have to The CastleCops Microsoft AntiSpyware Forum


Now go ahead and perform an antiviral scan.

This article is part of the Securing Your Computer: series
The series was developed as the key deliverable of the
Cleaning Malware Project.
Securing Your Computer: Introduction
Securing Your Computer: Overview
edit this template
Retrieved from "http://wiki.castlecops.com/Securing_Your_Computer:_Antispyware_Scanners"
Personal tools