Note: This guide will help you remove a significant amount of unwanted spyware and associated folders, files, and registry entries. Serious infections need more steps or the use of Hitman Pro by SurfRight.
Step 1 – If you have any anti-virus software on your computer, install the latest definitions by running an update and run a FULL scan.
Step 2 – Install CCleaner, a system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool that removes unused files, cleans traces of online activity such as the Internet history, and cleans registry entries. Download CCleaner on CNET.
Step 3 – Install Spybot – Search & Destroy, an anti-spyware application. Download Spybot on CNET. Run Spybot once so that you can download the latest updates. When the Spybot-S&D Wizard pops up, click on “Search for Updates”. At the Spybot-S&D Updater window, make sure all the updates listed under “Important Files” are checked, and click on Download so that the latest updates are installed.
Step 4 – Expand the Spybot-S&D menu on the left and click on “Settings”. Click on the third option below it, also called “Settings”. Go to the dropdown menu:
Automation >> System Start
and select the option, “Run program once at next system startup”. Exit the application when done.
Step 5 – Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, another anti-spyware application. Download it from CNET, as well. Leave the checkboxes for “Update Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” and “Launch Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware” checked so that the application installs the latest Malware definitions. Exit the application when done.
Step 6 – Restart your system. When you see the logo of the manufacturer of your computer, go into Safe Mode by pressing F8. Login to an account with the highest permissions (e.g. Administrator). If your children have an account, DO NOT use it. Spybot will run automatically just before loading the Windows desktop. When the scan is completed, press Fix selected problems. You may receive a warning popup window saying that “some problems couldn’t be fixed” and recommends that a restart is necessary. Click on No and DO NOT restart your computer for now. Repeat Step 4, then exit the application.
Step 7 – Run Malwarebytes. Click on the Scanner tab, select “Perform full scan”, and press the Scan button. When the scan is completed, press the “Remove Selected” button.
Step 8 – Run CCleaner. “Cleaner” on the top left side of the window will be selected by default. Make sure all the boxes are checked under the Applications tabs and all boxes except “Wipe Free Space” are checked under the Windows tab. Click on Analyze and, when complete, click on Run Cleaner. Next, click on “Registry” on the left side of the window just below “Cleaner”. Click on Scan for Issues and, when complete, click on Fix selected issues…. If there was just one error found, click on Fix Issue. If multiple errors were found, click on Fix All Selected Issues. Do this step twice. Exit the application when done.
Step 9 – Restart the computer. Login as you normally do. Spybot will run automatically just before loading the Windows desktop. When the scan is completed, press the “Fix selected problems” button.
Step 10 – Many types of malware like to exploit out-of-date versions of Java, so update your Java Runtime Environment. You can download it from Java’s website.
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