The best way to start off is to download LavaSoft's AdAware. It's a free program that will scan your computer for known SpyWare and then offer to remove it for you. It also has an undo option so it's pretty safe.

  Once you've installed this program, start it up and then immediately update the SpyWare definitions list. This keeps the software as current as possible and helps it to find the most SpyWare possible.

You can do this by Clicking on the Check For Updates Now Link as pictured below;

Then select Connect as Pictured Below;

After that's done click OK then Finish.

Once you've done that check the box that says Activate In-Depth Scan (Recommended) and also the box that says Use Custom Scanning Options. It should look like this;

Then Click the Customize Link as pictured below;

Then make your screen look like this one pictured below by checking off;

• Scan Within Archives
• Scan Active Processes
• Scan Registry
• Deep Scan Registry
• Scan my IE Favorites for Banned URL's
• Scan My Hosts File

After that, select Click Here to Select Drives + Folders as pictured below;

Then you'll have this screen. Depending on the amount of drives in your computer the display will vary. Please select all drives shown and then select Proceed as pictured below;

Select Proceed again and you should be back at this screen pictured below;

  Now your AdAware program is configured for the best searching results. Close off all running programs and also try and close off any icons in the system tray on the bottom right side of your screen by right-clicking on them and selecting close, or unload (or anything similar).

  Hit the Start Button as pictured above and start scanning. After AdAware finishes up you should see a screen similar to the following. Please note that your system may have much more SpyWare on it then the one pictured.

Click Next and you'll get this screen;

If you have a lot of critters you can right click and choose Select All and then Next.

  Then you are done! If you've deleted anything you shouldn't have you are OK because AdAware wisely keeps a log of everything removed. You can then re-install the SpyWare if you like. You should re-start your computer to ensure the SpyWare is gone and possibly even do one more scan to make sure nothing else has returned.

  If, after running these programs, you still have an infection that you can't get rid of, a trip to the SpyWare, Virus & AdWare section of the forum is required. There you will find one to one help in removing the offending program. Ask for help in the forums after doing the AdAware scan if your issues remain.

Please address all Questions to the Forum