Spyware

(Spyware, Malware, Hijackers, Keyloggers, Dialers and more)

By Brad Haderlie ITC Sales & Support Services

 

 ITC is currently recommending two cleaning programs for removing Spyware to be installed and used together.  Lavasoft’s “Ad-aware” and PepiMK Software’s “Spybot Search & Destroy”. 

Ad-aware can be purchased through the ITC store (x2900) and Spybot S&D can be downloaded for free from

ftp://topaz.msu.montana.edu/other-software/security/spybotsd13.exe. 

 

 

Installation and setup instructions for Spybot S&D v1.3

 

Download and run the Spybot-S&D installer program (spybotsd13.exe) and step through the install wizard.

• Select setup language – pick the desired language fro the pulldown menu choices. English is the default language.  Click on OK to accept the default (English).
• Welcome to Spybot … – click Next to continue the installation.
• License agreement – select ‘I accept the agreement’ and click Next.
• Select Destination Location – click Next to use the default location.
• Select Components – Leave ‘Icons for blind…’ unselected and also deselect ‘Additional languages’ and click Next.
• Select Start Menu Folder – Click Next to accept default selection.
• Select Additional Tasks – Leave ‘Use system settings protection (TeaTimer)’ unselected (more on this program later) and click Next.
• Ready to Install – Click on Install.
• Completing Spybot-S&D Setup Wizard – Leave ‘Run SpybotSD.exe’ selected and click Finish.

 

Each time you run Spybot-S&D, you will get a window titled ‘Legal Stuff’. This screen warns of the possibility that Spybot-S&D may cause some programs to stop working.  Don’t be alarmed by this.  As mentioned in the opening paragraph, “Spyware can be installed under the guise of other software such as special hot bars for Outlook or your browser, screen savers, taskbar date managers, weather bugs, file sharing clients, and many other little gadgets…”  Sometime when the spyware part is removed, the useful part stops working.  Another point to consider is the license agreement of some software states that by using the program, you agree to allow the spyware to be installed, and removal of the spyware violates the license agreement.  The bottom line is: Don’t download internet helper gadgets.  You can choose to not have this window show again by checking the box in the lower left of the window.

 

If you have Ad-aware installed you will also get a warning message.  Just note that if you have Ad-aware configured to scan inside archives (which is off by default) it may find what it thinks is spyware.  If the location of the detected spyware is in the Spybot-S&D directory, you can ignore it.  You can choose to not have this window show again by checking the box in the lower left of the window.

 

Since this is the first time you’ve run Spybot S&D, it will display a Wizard to help you configure some initial setting.

• Create registry backup – We recommend you do this. Click on the button labeled ‘Create registry backup’.  When the backup is finished, click Next.
• Search for updates – Click on the button to check for Spybot-S&D updates.  If the ‘Download all available updates’ button darkens, click on it.  Click Next.
• Immunize this system – Click on the immunize button.  This blocks known spyware (and similar threats) installers that are listed in the Spybot S&D database. Click Next.
• Start using the program – Click on the button to start.

 

The program is now running, but, it is in Default mode.  In this mode you cannot make any configuration changes.  You will need to switch to Advanced mode so you can make some configuration changes.  Click on the Mode pull down menu and select Advanced mode.  Click Yes to the warning message that appears.  You will see more choices appear in the left hand pane.

 

Click on the Settings tab and then click on the Settings option under that tab. The only recommended changes are in the Web Update section.  Click the checkbox to enable “Search the web for new versions at each program start” and click Yes to the confirmation window that appears. Also, click the checkbox to enable “Download updated include files if available online”.  With these settings made, you should not have to manually check for updates any more.  Each time Spybot-S&D is run, it will automatically check for updates.

 

Now you’re all set to search & destroy.  Click the Spybot S&D tab at the top of the left-hand pane and then click the “check for problems” button.  Spybot-S&D will now scan your system for any known problems.  This could take several minutes depending on the speed of your computer.

 

Once the scan is finished, you will see a list of problems found.  Click on ‘Fix selected problems’ to do just that.

 

Click Yes on the confirmation window.  Spybot-S&D fixes the problems.

Click OK.  You’re done!  Exit Spybot-S&D.

 

 

 

Installation and setup instructions for Ad-aware v6.0

 

Run the installation file found on the network share provided by the ITC store.

·        Welcome screen – click Next.

·        License agreement – click Next.

·        Destination Location – click Next.

·        Select Additional Components – ‘Ad-aware 6 user manual’ should be the only item checked.  Click Next.

·        Start Installation – Click Next.  (If you are installing Ad-aware 6 Pro, you will be asked for a password.  The password can be found in the ‘Readme’ text document found in the same folder as the installation file. Enter the password)

·        Ad-aware successfully installed – click Finish.

 

Run Ad-aware by double-clicking the icon that is now on your desktop.  There are a few configuration changes to make so, click on the settings icon in the upper right of the screen (gear icon). To the left of the configuration window that appears, click on the ‘Ad-watch’ button.  In the Activity section, click to enable “Load Ad-watch on Windows startup”.  Next, click the left-hand button labeled ‘Tweek’.  Click on the [+] next to the ‘Cleaning Engine’ section and click the checkbox to enable “Automatically mark all objects in result list”.  Click the [+] to expand the ‘WebUpdate Settings’ section click the checkbox to enable “Automatically look for updated reference files upon start”.  (If you are like me and are always startled by the sound Ad-aware makes when it finds something, you can turn that off under the Misc settings section.)  Click the “Proceed” button and you are now ready to clean house.  Click the ‘Start’ button to start checking and cleaning.  On the next window, leave ‘Perform smart system-scan’ selected and click Next.

 

Ad-aware now scans your system. This could take several minutes depending on the speed of your computer.

 

When the scan is complete, you will see a summary of the results.  Click Next.

 

You are then shown the Scanning results.  Each item is checked by default.  Click Next to remove the found spyware.

 

Click OK on the confirmation window.

 

The spyware is cleaned up Ad-aware returns to the beginning screen.

 

Exit Ad-aware.

 

 

You should run both Ad-aware and Spybot-S&D at least once every month but you can run them as often as you need.