TIP > Install an AntiSpyware Application

This system does not have any AntiSpyware programs installed that we recognize.

About the Problem

Over the past few years, a new class of software has emerged that's up to no good. It goes by many names: spyware, adware, foistware, malware, eulaware, or even crapware. For simplicity we'll just call them all spyware. Here are some of the "features" you get from spyware. Some spyware may only use one or two of these tactics, while others do quite a bit more.

• Deceptive functionality. Spyware often uses a classic "Trojan horse" tactic--like a virus. It offers to synchronize your PC's clock or keep track of forms, but it is also doing other hidden things while you browse.
• Home page hijacking. Did you ever find that your home page was changed, or discover new sites in Favorites that you didn't add? It might be spyware.
• Loss of privacy. Some spyware keeps track of the web sites you visit and sends that information back to the spyware vendor. Do you want to tell everyone?
• More advertising. Did you install a popup stopper but you are still getting popups? The ads you are getting may not be from the web site you are on, but from spyware.
• Stolen advertising. Instead of showing the ads that should appear on a web site, some spyware substitutes its own ads which can rob a web site of revenue.
• Broken web sites. Spyware sometimes changes the actual content on a web page, and in the process it "breaks" the page. The page may not look correct, or you may get JavaScript errors.
• Reduced performance. Spyware uses up system resources, CPU time, memory, disk space, and Internet bandwidth, making your system slower.
• System instability. Most spyware isn't very well tested or debugged, and there is no way to report bugs or obtain tech support. The result can be system crashes, hangs, or other strange behavior.
• Security risks. Some spyware has a built-in update feature that lets the spyware maker download and install new code to your system without your knowledge or approval.

For more information, go to our Spyware Information Center.

Solutions

Install an AntiSpyware Program

PC Pitstop recommends Exterminate to find and eliminate Spyware from your computer. PC Pitstop Exterminate has a free deep spyware scan that identifies the latest spyware threats. The step-by-step wizard format is easy to use and informative. Free daily signature updates provides ongoing protection from the most current Internet risks. Exterminate detects and removes spyware, adware, keyloggers, Remote Access Trojans (RATs), and browser hijackers.

A wide variety of other AntiSpyware programs is available at a range of prices, starting with free. Among the free AntiSpyware programs we can recommend are Windows Defender, Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Spyware Blaster. In general, it's a good idea to have have multiple AntiSpyware programs on your computer. Often, one application will detect spyware that another will miss.

However, be very cautious about downloading and running random programs that claim to detect and remove spyware: there are dozens of programs in this category that are actually spyware themselves, and some of those are named so that you can easily confuse them with real AntiSpyware applications. If you want to install one of the free AntiSpyware programs that we have mentioned, use our links rather than searching for them on the Internet.

If you believe that we have missed an installed AntiSpyware application on this computer, click here to report it to us.