Spyware and Adware
Spyware and Adware are generic terms for programs on a computer that either monitor what you're doing on your computer (spyware), or deliver advertisements, like popups, (adware) to your computer. Some websites will have popup advertisements on them, but this is not adware or spyware. This is just an advertisement. Sometimes the spyware and adware work together to watch what you're interested in and then deliver advertising based on that.
Now you're asking yourself "How did I get spyware and adware? I have antivirus?"
Adware and spyware aren't viruses at all. Infact you, or someone else that has used your computer, has said it was OK to put those programs on there. Usually spyware and adware piggy back in on programs that you think are safe like WeatherBug, Kazaa, Limewire, many "free" screen saver programs, free computer checks, and the programs go on. When you install those programs, the license agreement will say something along the lines of "You agree to let us install our third-party software." There are also security holes in some popular web browers that can be exploited to install the spyware without your knowledge. Make sure you read everything before clicking "I agree" or "Yes" while on the internet.
Microsoft has a good write up about spyware and adware too. You can read about it here.
Spyware and adware can sometimes be very easy to remove, and others can be very hard to remove. Next we'll guide you through a program, Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE, to try and get you going again.
First, download Lavasoft's Ad-aware SE from here.
Once you have it downloaded, go ahead and install it. On the very last screen, where the Finish button is, make sure "Perform a full system scan now" is checked and "Update definition file" is also checked. You can leave "Open the help file now" unchecked if you want.
Ad-Aware SE will then Auto update itself (make sure you're still on the internet) and then run a full scan.
Ad-Aware will display it's results as it finds them. Once it's finished, click Next. A detailed results page will show up, and you can see exactly what it found. To remove the items, right hand click anywhere inside the results box, and left hand click on "Select all" then click Next. It will quarantine and delete the files. Restart your computer and see if that has helped your problems.
If not, you probably have a very bad spyware infection and will need us to get it taken off. Please call us for more information.
Our online troubleshooter is meant for informational purposes only. By using this guide you understand Quick Connect cannot be held responsible for any data loss related to using this guide. Please call us for any questions or help you need if your issue is of a critical nature BEFORE using our troubleshooter.
