Biden PC's Small Business IT Blog

How to Speed Up Your Computer - Part 2

Other things that will slow your computer down are viruses and spyware. For this blog post, we'll focus on the spyware end of things.

Spyware: what is it? Spyware has become an umbrella term that covers many different types of software that install themselves on your computer without your permission. It has many different functions such as spying on your web-browsing habits, creating pup-ups to advertise products or services, redirecting or hijacking your web browser... Spyware can be quite nasty and it should never be welcome on your computer.

So how do I get rid of it? Good question! For the sake of this blog, we are only talking about free methods of removal. As spyware writers probably know more about the inner workings of Microsoft Windows than most people do, it is quite safe to assume the software is difficult to remove. They create registry settings to call files. They create multiple files with names that change from computer system to computer system. They can have backdoor systems that reinstall the software if it is removed.

To remove spyware there are some free spyware removal programs that you must know about.

1. Shutdown the SYSTEM RESTORE because spyware attach themselves to your system’s restore files. This is an easy way for them to reinstall themselves, even after you restore Windows to a previous configuration. To disable System Restore, follow these steps.
1. Right click on ‘MY COMPUTER’, then click on ‘Properties’.
   
2. Click on the ‘System Restore’ tab at the top of the window.
   
3. Check the box that says ‘Turn off system restore on all drives’. Click ‘APPLY’, then ‘OK’.
   
4. Reboot your compuyter. That’s all there is to it.
5. Now run the following programs.
   
2. Spybot - Search and Destroy. Spybot is a free program but if you feel so inclined, you can donate to the cause. You can download spybot at the link above. I would recommend running spybot at least once a month if not once a week.
3. AdAware 2008. You have 2 options to get it free. There is the standard free version and the enhanced free version but for that you must create a TrialPay account. Once again, I would recommend running AdAware at least once a month if not once a week.
4. ComboFix. Combofix eliminates some nasty extortion-ware programs. These are the ones that create a problem saying that your computer is infected by a virus or spyware and if yu purchase their software, they'll remove it for you. That is a scam, don't fall for it! Instead, download and run ComboFix. Instructions for it can be found HERE.
5. FireFox. This is a web browser like Microsoft's Internet Explorer but it is more secure against many types of spyware. Download it, install it, and use it for all of your web browsing. Just one note...
1. When installing it, instead of choosing to import your Internet Explorer settings, choose "Don't Import Anything" so that you don't import your issues from Internet Explorer to FireFox.
6. Now you can restore the SYSTEM RESTORE because you have already deleted all of its files and removed your spyware. To enable System Restore, follow these steps.
1. Right click on ‘MY COMPUTER’, then click on ‘Properties’.
   
2. Click on the ‘System Restore’ tab at the top of the window.
   
3. Unheck the box that says ‘Turn off system restore on all drives’. Click ‘APPLY’, then ‘OK’.
   
4. Reboot your compuyter. That’s all there is to it.

Your computer should now be free from most types of spyware and therefore be running faster.

Happy Computing,
Tim

Labels: General PC Advice, How To, Services Offered

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