SPYBOT 101

Spyware is causing most computers to slow down, mess up their operation and generally make your computing experience miserable.  This is especially true if you have a high speed Internet connection.  PCSS recommends two programs to help keep minimize Spyware on your PC:  SPYBOT and AdAware.  Both are free to download and use, though they ask for donations.  SPYBOT seems to be the more effective, but we use both. 

Unfortunately, SPYBOT is not the easiest program to use.  We thought we would go through several examples of how to use the program.  First make sure you have the latest version of the SPYBOT Search & Destroy program on your PC.  Currently that is version 1.4.  Get it from download.com here:  Spybot - Search & Destroy -  at Download.com

After downloading, install the program by double clicking on Spybot14.exe.  Follow the install routine till it automatically runs SPYBOT.  If you already have SPYBOT you can load it now (it usually will put an icon on your Windows Desktop).  The first thing we do when in SPYBOT is to check for updates.  Click on the Search for Updates Button (you should be on the Internet). If there are updates they will appear in the white box.  Click on each box then click on the Download Updates button at the top of the page.

After the updates have been updated, we then Immunize our system by clicking on the Immunize button on the left side of the SPYBOT screen and then clicking on the Green Cross – Immunize.  We then click on the Search and Destroy button on the left side of the screen. 

We then click on the Check for Problems button and go get a cup of tea (coffee optional).  It takes 5-10 minutes for SPYBOT to check out you system. When SPYBOT finishes its check, if it finds some Spyware, click on the Fix Selected Problems button.  Then Yes your way to completion.   That’s it.  It takes about 10 minutes and you should do it at least once a week if you have a high speed connection. 

If you have questions, email or call PCSS!