Instructions for Downloading and Using Spybot – Search & Destroy Utility to Remove Malware
- What are Malware, Spyware, and Adware?
- Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Malware is designed to do anything from vandalize personal data, cause data loss or to cause serious damage to your computer. Malware is often used interchangeably with Spyware and Adware.
- Spyware is any software that covertly gathers information about a user while he/she navigates the Internet and transmits the information to an individual or company that uses it for marketing or other purposes.
- Adware is any software in which advertisements are displayed while the program is running, e.g. pop-up windows or banners, and which often is installed without the user's knowledge or consent.
- What are common symptoms that I’ll see on my computer?
- When this software accumulates on your computer the results can range from annoying interference with your daily work to dragging the system down to where your system either runs very slowly or fails to work altogether.
- How do I get rid of this software?
- The utility Spybot will find and delete the bad software. You can also choose to use the program to erect a guard that will keep them from being installed again.
- How do I get Spybot?
- Spybot is available for download to OHSU workstations. Here’s how to download and use Spybot:
- 1. Double click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
- 2. Click on the plus sign next to the Repoz on CAS2\Apps (V:) drive
- 3. Click on the plus sign next to the folder Utils.
- 4. Double-click on the folder Spybot – Search and Destroy.
- 5. Double-click on Spybot – Search and Destroy
NOTE: It will take a few moments for a window to appear with options for many languages. - 6. When the language options window appears, double-click on English.
- 7. In a few moments, the Spybot program window will appear. (See Figure 1)
- 8. Click on the Check for problems button. Spybot will begin searching your computer for problems.
NOTE: It may take several minutes for this process to run. - 9. When Spybot has completed searching, the results will appear. (See Figure 2)
- 10. Click on the Fix selected problems button.
- How can I keep from getting these programs downloaded again?
- To protect your computer from this software in the future, click on the Immunize button in the left column after running Checking for problems and Fix selected problems.
- How often should I run this utility?
- It would be a good idea to run this utility weekly, or after every 3-4 hours of internet browser use.
- Will Spybot find and protect me from viruses?
- No, McAfee VirusScan, which is automatically installed on every OHSU workstation protects your computer from viruses.
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