how to get rid of spyware

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• Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:11 AMBrian-Support Engineer

   
  

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  Hi car69fan,
  

  
  Windows Vista comes with a great tool called Windows Defender that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software by detecting and removing known spyware from your computer. You can do a scan now to see if there is any spyware on your computer by doing the following:

  ·         Click Start

  ·         In ‘Start Search’ type Windows Defender

  ·         Simply Press Enter, or click Windows Defender

  ·         Once the Windows Defender window opens, click the drop down arrow next to scan.

  ·         From there you can choose “Quick Scan, Full Scan, or Custom Scan…”

  ·         Once Windows Defender completes the scan, it will report to you any malicious software a.k.a. malware that if found and report to you the actions that it took to deal with it/them.

  You can also setup for Windows Defender to do scans on a scheduled basis. To do this, follow the steps below:

  ·         Get to the Windows Defender windows like in the previous steps.

  ·         Click Tools located at the top

  ·         You will see two main categories “Settings” and “Tools” with subcategories beneath them.

  ·         Click on “Options” located under “Settings”.

  ·         Once in the window for Options choose your desired settings for your scheduled scans with Windows Defender.

  I’ve attached a link below that has some other options provided by Microsoft for keeping your computer safe from malware:

  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/software.mspx

   

  I hope you find this information helpful and successful in keeping malware of off your computer. If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to ask.

  ---

  Brian
  Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
  Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

  • Marked As Answer byBrian-Support Engineer Sunday, January 25, 2009 6:27 PM
  • Unmarked As Answer byBrent-Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorThursday, April 23, 2009 8:27 AM
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• Tuesday, January 20, 2009 6:22 AMVincenzo Di RussoMVP

   
  

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  car69fan said:

  my computer keeps frezzing up and disconnecting i have windows home premium and windows live onecare thank you in advance for your time

  See Brian's reply.
  
  Adding...
  
  

  See and follow:
  "Checking for/Help with Spyware, Malware and Hijackware".

   

  Run the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

   

  Download, install, update and run:

  SUPERAntispyware (freeware) and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (freeware).

  
  
  [If this post helps to resolve your issue, click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

  ---

  Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003

  • Marked As Answer byBrian-Support Engineer Sunday, January 25, 2009 6:26 PM
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• Tuesday, January 20, 2009 7:40 PMDonna BuenaventuraModerator

   
  

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   Hi,
  Please ensure that your Windows Live OneCare (note: Windows Defender is disabled if you have OneCare by Microsoft) is up-to-date by checking for new definitions.  Run a full system scan. Let OneCare quarantine or remove the identified spyware/virus/malware.  If the problem persist after OneCare's task, please try the other malware tools or run an online scanner.
  
  Other malware tools (all tools are free to download, use and remove identified malware):
  1.  Malwarebytes Anti-Malware http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php (or click the link provided by MVP Vincenzo)
  2.  A-2 Free http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
  3.  SUPERAntispyware (see link provided by Microsoft MVP, Vincenzo.
  It's best to run all of these tools one a time because not all malware is detected by one tool or the remnants is deleted by single tool.

  ---

  Keep your software current - http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?act=calendar

  • Marked As Answer byBrian-Support Engineer Sunday, January 25, 2009 6:26 PM
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• Monday, April 06, 2009 2:03 PMDuaneGallant

   
  

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  Hi,
  I downloaded Microsoft Defender when I first encountered the problem (MS Antispyware 2009) a couple of days ago.  I ran the complete scan, but it never picked up anything.  I thought my problem was solved!
  When I booted up my computer this morning, it popped up again as my computer was booting up.  I seen your comments Donna, just today (realizing that I am infected with something), and as I don't want to purchase the Live OneCare program, I used your first free software option.  As I ran a complete scan it piced up 22 infected items.  I rebooted my computer as per the instructions.  As the items on my "taskbar" were loading, the first thing that came up was the "red shield" saying that my "antivirus was turned off, please click to fix this".  As my computer was still loading applications, this red shield disappeared and then my Norton Antivirus icon appeared in its place.  I assume that my problem is fixed.
  
  Is that right?
  
  Thanks Donna
  
  
  Duane Gallant
  Prince Edward Island, Canada
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• Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:47 AMTechKid

   
  

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  Try Windows Defender. Scan your computer for spyware. A malware report will alert you. Just remove the spyware and its done. If you don't have any spyware, that means your computer is weak in performance.
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