Computer Clean Up

Removing spyware and adware from your computer is easier than you think. Something to remember is, it is not just about removing, it is about preventing. Programs, such as Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware, and Spyware Doctor, can help in the process of removing these threats, as well as preventing them. In this section, you will learn how to use these three programs, as well as how to manually clean your computer of unnecessary files.

A quick way to remove unnecessary files from your computer is by using the "Disc Clean Up" feature already installed. To do this, click "Start." Then, go to "All Programs," and "Accessories." Find "System Tools" and then "Disc Clean Up." By clicking this, a box will appear asking you which drive you want to clean. Normally, this is your (C:) drive. Click "Ok." Now, a box has come up explaining which folders can safely be cleaned, and how much space you will free. Click "Ok" at the bottom, and then "Yes" to remove these files.

To manually remove unnecessary files from your computer, as this is often what triggers the collection of even more spyware, follow the steps below.

Start by opening "My Computer"
Double click "Local Disc (C:)"
Double click "Documents and Settings"
Next, double click the folder that you use. This may be "Owner," "Administrator," or it may simply be your name.
Double click "Local Settings." If you do not see "Local Settings" it may be because your computer is set to hide these folders. You can change this setting by clicking "Tools" at the top, then by clicking "Folder Options..." Then, click the "View" tab. Scroll down until you see "Show Hidden Files and Folders." Then, click "Apply." This should show you folders that were not previously shown.

Normally there are three folders here that you can clean. They are History, Temp, and Temporary Internet Files. Since IE7 has been released, there is an option to have History and Temporary Internet Files deleted each time you close your browser. If this is the case, you will only see the "Temp" folder, and an "Applications" folder.

Double click the "Temp" folder and delete anything inside. Note that some of these may not delete right away. The programs that have placed these temp files here may still be using them. It will tell you if they can be deleted or not. Once all of the "Temp" files are deleted, you can click the "Back" button and repeat that process with the "History" and "Temporary Internet Files" folders (if they are there).

Another folder that commonly stores temporary files is called "Prefetch." This folder can be found in the main Window's folder. It is not recommended that you open any other folders in the Window's folder due to causing damage to your system.

Start by opening "My Computer"
Double click "Local Disc (C:)"
Double click "Windows"
Find the "Prefetch" folder and double click. Delete all files in this folder. If you do not see the "Prefetch" folder, follow the instructions above to "Show Hidden Files and Folders."

As with anything you remove from your computer, the things you delete go directly to the Recycle Bin. To empty, right click on the "Recycle Bin" icon, and click "Empty Recycle Bin."

Using spyware removal software:

If you are using Spybot Search & Destroy, remember to search for updates often, as the program itself does not do this for you. To do this, simply open the program, and click "Search For Updates." Spybot will search for updates online. If there are any updates to be installed, they will be shown in the box. Make sure they are all clicked, indicating you want these updates, and click "Download Updates." When the download is finished, it is recommended that you "Immunize" your computer against known threats. Click "Immunize" on the left. The software will indicate if there is a need to immunize your computer, or if all known products are already blocked. When Immunization is finished, click "Search & Destroy" at the top-left, then click "Check For Problems." Spybot Search & Destroy is now searching your computer for unwanted spyware and/or software. When the scan is finished, indicate which items you want to be fixed (if any).

If you are using Ad-Aware, remember to search for updates often, as the program itself does not do this for you. To do this, simply open the program, and click "Check for updates now." Then, click the "Connect" button to allow the software to connect to the internet and search for definitions. If there are new definitions found, click "Ok" to allow the software to download. When it's finished, click "Finish." To scan your computer with Ad-Aware, click "Start" on the bottom-left. Choose which type of scan you would like to perform, whether it be Smart Scan, Full Scan, Custom Scan or Search Volume for ADS. Then, click "Next" to begin the scan. When the scan is finished, indicate which items you want to be fixed (if any) by clicking each box next to the description of the files found.

If you are using Spyware Doctor, remember to search for updates when it indicates that it is needed. Spyware Doctor has alerts at the bottom, telling you where your attention is needed. If an update is needed, click the red link indicating your update. Follow the prompts by clicking "Next" until Spyware Doctor updates your software. When the update is finished, click "Finish." Spyware Doctor will now reload itself with the new updated version. Once loaded, it is recommended to immunize your computer. Simply click the middle button to "Immunize." The program will indicate whether or not your computer needs to be immunized. If it does, simply click the link "Immunize Now." Once this is finished, you are ready to scan your computer for spyware. Click "Status" on the top-left to return back to the main menu. Click the top button to "Scan Computer Now." When the scan is finished, Spyware Doctor will show a list of threats on your computer that need to be removed. Click the "Fix" button to repair your computer.

These are just a few simple steps that can be taken to assure that your computer stays in great shape. Continue these steps weekly to prevent any further problems associated with Spyware or Adware.