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DR. MAC'S COMPUTER CLINIC
No. 17
SPYWARE - PART 2
SMOKE OUT SPYWARE !
Dear Readers - welcome to another Computer Clinic. Last time, I told you about
Spyware -
those files which are installed on your PC behind your back. Files which build up a profile
about YOU. Files which literally spy on you - and then send that information to third-parties
every time you connect to the internet!
Some people say, "So what" ! BUT - apart from the moral and ethical issues involved - spyware files can also degrade the performance of your PC and cause all sorts of problems.
Many of you already have the excellent
AD-AWARE
program installed. For those
of you who DON'T, here's how to get it. For those of you who DO have it, here's how
to get a super program that will update the reference file for Ad-Aware automatically.
A WORD ABOUT COOKIES :
Cookies are small text files that are put into your Temporary
Internet folder when you surf the 'net. They are also put into the folder which you can
find at C:\Windows\Cookies.
Some of them are useful. For example, they contain usernames and passwords so you only
have to log onto a site once and you are automatically recognised. BUT, SOME OF THEM ARE
SPYWARE!
Here's an actual screen shot of just the first eight cookies in my Cookies folder :
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This is a very small sample of
the cookies in my Cookies folder.
Out of the first 8 cookies
you can see here ...
5 of them are Spyware files! |
The excellent "clean-up" program I showed you how to download in
Clinic 15 -
Disk Cleaner
-
will delete all the cookies in your Temporary Internet folder - including the Spyware files,
but it will NOT delete cookies in your Cookies folder, nor will it delete spyware entries in
your Registry
AD-AWARE scans your hard drive, your Registry and your Cookies folder. It will identify known
spyware and at the end of the scan it lists all of them. You then have the option to keep them
all (now why on earth !!!) - delete them all - or keep some and delete others.
DOWNLOAD AD-AWARE
You all know how to download correctly at this stage!
(Covered in detail in Clinic 5 ) -
Create a sub-folder under your main "Downloads" folder - rename it to Ad-Aware.
-
Click the link at the bottom of this Clinic and download
Ad-Aware
into this folder.
Now, close down all running program using "End It All"
Double click on the Ad-Aware program - it looks like this :
 aaw.exe
A new folder is created on your C drive : : C:\Program Files\Lavasoft Ad-aware
Open this folder and look for the main program icon - it looks like this :  Ad-aware.exe
RIGHT-click on this icon and select "Send to .... Desktop (as a shortcut)
OR - click on the big "Start" button - then "Programs" - and scroll right down to the bottom. You will find the new Ad-aware icon there. Click and HOLD your mouse down and "drag" it up to the alphabetically correct place.
You can now right-click on the Ad-aware icon and select "Send to ... Desktop"
Using either of these two methods, the shortcut is placed on your desktop. I would
suggest RIGHT-clicking on it and select "Rename" - call it something short and sweet
- like
"Adware"
Now REBOOT your computer (Remember, you closed down all programs using End It All)
Your Ad-aware program is now installed and you have a shortcut on your desktop.
CONFIGURE AD-AWARE
Double-click your new Adaware shortcut on your desktop.
The main interface opens. Tick the following options so it looks like this :
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Select ...
Scan Memory
Scan Registry
Quick Scan
Deep Scan
and ...
C (Fixed)
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NOW YOU ARE READY TO DISCOVER AND SMOKE OUT THE SPYWARE FILES!
Close down all programs using End It All, then click the main Scan Now button.
If spyware files and cookies are found, you will be presented with a list, like this :
This one scan found
22 spyware files!
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If you want to
get rid of ALL the
spyware on your PC.
put a tick in EACH box.
(Your PC Doctor always
gets rid of ALL of them!)
OR, only tick those
you DO want to delete.
Then click
CONTINUE
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Ad-aware will now delete all the spyware files, registry entries, and spyware cookies that you have selected.
When finished, close Ad-aware and REBOOT your computer.
WARNING! Some programs will NOT work once their spyware files have been removed! I say
... good riddance! For every program that contains spyware, there are several alternative
programs that work just as well - spyware free!
AND SO ... time to download Ad-aware :
www.lsfileserv.com/aaw/binary/aaw.exe
(TIP: DOUBLE-click this link is a single click doesn't connect)
KEEP AD-AWARE UPDATED
-
New spyware files are being released onto the unsuspecting public frequently. That's why it's important
to keep your "spyware reference file" up to date. (This is very similar to updating
your anti-viral signature files on a regular basis.)
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There is an excellent little program (FREE, of course!) that will do this for you automatically.
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Simply launch this program every (say) two or three weeks to check for updates.
-
If there is an updated reference file, the
Ad-aware Updater
will download AND INSTALL it for you!
The download link to get this program is :
http://www.lsfileserv.com/aaw/binary/refupdate.exe
Well folks, now you know about Spyware - what it is - and how to smoke it out!
Part of your regular MOT Maintenance routine should now also include a full Ad-aware scan.
Remember, every single time you connect to the internet, the chances are that a spyware file
(or two, or three ... !!!) will be installed onto your PC! AND your personal information sent
OUT !
Please remember to give your PC it's regular MOT (full summary at the end of Clinic 16) - and don't forget to check for any AVG (anti-viral) updates.
More powerful PC Medicine next time : How to Boost your Internet Connection!
All the best and Happy Computing ...
Dr. Mac
Dr. Mac's Computer Clinic
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HEALTH WARNING
Outdated programmes and lack of "know-how" can seriously affect the health of your PC including your internet and e-mail enjoyment
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