Spyware Removal

STEP 5: Download Spybot - Search & Destroy

Click on the link to DOWNLOAD Spybot - Search & Destroy. Click RUN (see Figure 1 below).

Figure 1

Next, you will see an Internet Explorer warning, just click the RUN button as seen in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

Next, the SpyBot Installer should appear and you should see the following screen as seen in Figure 3 below. You must accept the license agreement in order to install Spybot, so click I accept the agreement to proceed.

Next, just click the NEXT button as seen in Figure 4 below as the default program location will be fine.

Figure 4

Next, make sure that the Download updates immediately box is checked. Then, press NEXT to continue. (Refer to Figure 5 below)

Figure 5

Then, just click NEXT to proceed as seen in Figure 6 below.

Figure 6

Then, just click INSTALL to proceed with the installation. (Refer to Figure 7 below)

Figure 7

At this point all you need to do is click the INSTALL button again as seen in Figure 8 below.

Figure 8

Next, click the CLOSE button as the installation has completed. (Refer to Figure 9 below)

Figure 9

Next, make sure that the Run SpyBotSD.exe box is checked then click FINISH. This will launch Spybot. (Refer to Figure 10 below)

Figure 10

Next, make sure the Don't show this message again checkbox is checked then click OK. (Refer to Figure 11)

Figure 11

Next, you have the option to create a registry backup. This is something that can be done, but does not have to be done. It is advisiable to create a backup at this point as it will ensure a way to restore your registry if it is corrupted during a Spybot scan and clean in the future. If you wish to do this click the CREATE REGISTRY BACKUP button. Otherwise click NEXT. (Refer to Figure 12 below)

Figure 12

Next click the SEARCH FOR UPDATES button to check for Spybot updates. (Refer to Figure 13 below)

Figure 13

Once Spybot has scanned for new updates, it will prompt you to download the updates. Click the DOWNLOAD ALL AVAILABLE UPDATES button to proceed. (Refer to Figure 14 below)

Figure 14

Next, we need to immunize the system. Click the IMMUNIZE THIS SYSTEM button as seen in Figure 15 below.

Figure 15

Congratulations, you have completed the installation of Spybot. Now you need to configure some settings within the program so click START USING THE PROGRAM as seen in Figure 16 below.

Figure 16

Once Spybot loads, go to the menu bar at the top of screen and click on the MODE option and select ADVANCED. Then, click on Settings in the side toolbar then click on Settings listed under the Settings sections. The settings we need to alter affect the downloading of updates. So, under the Web Update section make sure that the checkboxes indicated in Figure 17 are checked.

Figure 17

Next, click on Tools on the side toolbar, then Hosts File. You should see the screen in Figure 18. Click the Spybot S&D hosts list button as seen in Figure 18.

Figure 18

After adding the hosts list, click on Spybot: S & D at the top of the side toolbar to return to the main menu. You should see Figure 19 below. These icons shown in Figure 19 access the different features of Spybot. For more information on all the features of Spybot, refer to the internal help and tutorials listed under the Help menu.

Figure 19

Next, notice the 3 buttons that are the heart of the program: (These buttons load by default but if they do not you can access their features by clicking the icons on the side toolbar shown in Figure 19):

• Check for problems (Runs a Spybot scan)
• Recovery (Performs a recovery for a bad cleaning)
• Search for Updates (Searches for Spybot updates)

Figure 20

Now that you are familiar with the key features of Spybot you can run a scan. To do this click the Check for problems button and a scan will start to run. Once the scan completes, you need to make sure that a check is next to each spyware threat and then click the FIX SELECTED PROBLEMS button. (See Figure 21 below)

Figure 21

One other icon to note is the Immunize icon on the side toolbar. (See Figure 19) When clicked it will immunize your system, preventing certain spyware applications from loading on your system. It's a good idea to run this feature after every update. Once you run Immunize, if the system had any new immunizations it will prompt you to immunize. To do this click on the IMMUNIZE button shown in Figure 22 below. Once immunization is completed you should see the pop-up dialog shown in Figure 22. Just click OK after that.

Figure 21