Clearly, you need to have the ability to cleanup routine spyware and virus infections from your computer. Without this ability, you’ll be paying someone, like me, lots of money to do it for you or you’ll continue to use your infected computer until it’s no longer usable.

Let’s assume, for the sake of this article, that you already have a good antivirus program (which is updated regularly) running on your machine. You’ll also want to keep a current backup of your system registry (use the export tool in RegEdit). It’s extremely important to keep your entire system up to date. This includes updating Windows, your antivirus program and your antispyware program.

1. Let’s try to prevent the problem before it arises:

First of all, you’ll want to be protected against spyware or adware infections. Use a couple of good antispyware programs. There are a few free programs available like Spybot Search & Destroy, or Lavasoft’s AdAware. There are also plenty of premium programs out there, however, you need to be careful of which one you choose. Some are legitimate and some can worsen the problem. I currently use AVG Antivirus and antispyware protection . I’ve used lots of other programs and I’ll probably change again, at some point. You may want to try a few and pick the ones you like.

Make sure you have the latest Windows updates installed. Most Windows Updates are security related and I can’t stress enough how important it is to update regularly.

Don’t use any of the “file sharing programs” that your friends tell you about. First of all, downloading copyrighted material for the use of sharing is illegal, in most cases. If you want to download music, pay for it. If you want to download software, pay for it. I’m not trying to sound like a scolding parent, it’s just that I know, from experience, that these programs will only cause you headaches, down the road.

If you are offered “free software”, online, be very wary of the source. You may think that it’s free now, but you might PAY later with spyware or adware infections.

DO NOT visit sites that offer “cracks”, “warez”, “downloadz“, etc… You’re only begging for trouble.

Teach your children to use the Internet responsibly, practicing the same precautions that YOU practice.

2. You have spyware! Now what?

If I was to get a service call from a client with an infected computer, generally, these are the steps I would take:

If you haven’t, already, download and install a couple of GOOD antispyware programs. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.

Go to the Control Panel, then Add & Remove Programs. Remove any programs that you don’t fully trust. Any program referencing the term “search”, “cash”, “bargain”, “bucks”, “gain”, “gator”, “web”, “cool”, “wintools”, “spyaxe”, “buddy” or “bar” is generally a good program to get rid of.

If you’re using Windows XP or Windows Me, turn off System Restore by right-clicking My Computer and choosing Properties. Then click on the System Restore tab and put a check in the box next to “Turn Off System Restore”.

Complete a Disk Cleanup, which can be found in the System Tools folder of your Start menu. This will remove any files in your Temp and Temporary Internet Files folders.

Reboot to Safe Mode by tapping the F8 key at startup.

Complete full system scans with both (all) of your antispyware programs. Make sure you remove (delete/quarantine) any infections that are found.

Reboot to Safe Mode, AGAIN, by tapping the F8 key at startup.

Complete full system scans, AGAIN, with both (all) of your antispyware programs. Make sure you remove (delete/quarantine) any infections that are found.

Reboot normally.

If you see that your system is running the way you like, you can turn on System Restore.

3. Follow the precautions listed in paragraph #1.

In Addition

SpywareWarrior.com has gone to great lengths to put together a list of over 300 “rogue” antispyware products. These are the products that you want to stay away from. They’ll infect your computer worse than it already is! Check the list, here.