I think I have spyware on my computer, how can I remove it?

Spyware is software that is installed onto a computer usually without the user knowing. It can be installed through websites or software. Spyware can slow down your computer and internet connection.

The best way to remove spyware, without cost, is through a set of two programs: Spyware Blaster and Spybot Search and Destroy. These programs are both available as freeware and can be downloaded at the following homepages:


Spyware Blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/

A tutorial on how to use Spybot is also available here:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/tutorial/index.html

Spybot removes all current spyware on your computer. Spyware Blaster prevents 90% of spyware from entering your machine again. After installing the two programs, make sure to run the updater and download any updated spyware definitions. Both programs do not run in the background. This means you only need to run them once and they will never take up system resources ever again.

Pratt IT recommends that all of its users periodically scan for spyware to ensure maximum performance from their machines. If you would like help in removing spyware from your computer or find that removing spyware did not fix any lingering problems you may have, please contact us at 660-5400 or help@pratt.duke.edu.