Do you think you have "spyware" on your machine? Although it is recommended to install it, the program has not been updated since 2009 - so it is relatively ineffective against current infections. You do not therefore have to install it, there are other recipes to follow to secure your PC: Securing your PC.
Spybot software
Download and install Spybot Search & Destroy - more commonly known as Spybot - (great anti-spyware and other nasty little programs, free and in of the country)
- Télécharger Spybot Search & Destroy
- Spybot Demo
- Tutorial
Different modes
Spybot can operate in two "modes":
- The "easy mode"; this is the mode used by default. It is simple to use, but some very practical and even essential functions are not available.
- The "advanced mode", which is a little (but then really a little) more complicated to "learn", but with which we can do a lot more things (and therefore, possibly, damage Windows).
I therefore recommend the advanced mode, unless you are a beginner, in this case, prefer the easy mode.
Updates
Like many software, Spybot has an update function.
IMPORTANT:
This article was written based on version 1.4. Some information is therefore not valid for earlier versions. It is essential to perform this update (via the appropriate function in the program) before performing any spyware scan and removal! If you have an older version, update it by following the link above. Then download Spybot and install it in the same folder as the old version (if you don't know it, leave it "by default"). This will replace the old version with the new one.
Spyware removal
Once the update is complete, launch Spybot and choose to scan for spyware.
If Spybot finds any, choose to delete them (anyway, if there should be a problem, Spybot makes backups, so you can restore one or more spyware)
Start-up programs
There is also a very interesting option in Spybot which allows not only to deactivate, but also to delete a registry key corresponding to the automatic start of a program when Windows starts up (Windows msconfig only allows deactivation; not deletion ).
To do this, in SpyBot (advanced mode), go to Tools then System startup.
Choose the key to remove and click Remove.
!! WARNING !! Do not delete keys until you are sure they are not critical to the proper functioning of Windows. If in doubt, abstain or ask the question on the
"Software" forum
Do not mix up !!! : Spybot is not an anti-virus!
You must therefore absolutely have installed an (anti-virus) and a firewall (Download a firewall) on your computer!
More information on protecting your computer:
- https://sebsauvage.net/safehex.html
Ad-Aware 2009
Ad-Aware 2009 is another anti-spyware software that complements Spybot in its task.
- Download Ad-Aware
- Tutorial
- Second tutorial
A-squared Free
A-squared Free can be used in addition to Spybot since it mainly searches for worms and Trojans ("Trojans" or "Trojan") present on your machine.
- Tutorial on A-squared
- Official site
See as well
- Definition of a worm
- Definition of a Trojan horse
Caution
Sometimes anti-spyware itself contains spyware, so it's best to limit yourself to the most well-known!
Link
- For more information on spyware
