How To Permanently Get Rid Of Spyware, Adware And Malware Programs

ANTISPYWARE SOFTWARE IN BRIEF

In a recent CNN report it is stated that, "If you use the 
internet, There is over 90% chance your computer is 
infected with spyware." 1

Spyware refers to a type of program which is designed 
to carry out harmful activities on your computer. Spyware 
are a family of malicious programs often referred to by 
different names depending upon their role. Some of them 
are adware, malware, scumware, key loggers, Active X type, 
auto dialers, data miners, parasites, cookie trackers 
stealware, trojans and many more. 

On the Internet today a large number of malicious spyware 
programs exist which can do a lot of damage to your computer 
and your financial and personal information. Spyware is
different from viruses in that viruses are designed to harm 
your computer system whereas the role of a spyware is to use 
your internet connection for a variety of purposes. 

The simplest programs are referred to as adware, these pop 
up numerous ads on your computer. Data miners steal your data 
such as personal information, passwords, telephone numbers, 
social security numbers etc and pass it on to programmers 
who use it for their benefit and illegal activities. 
Key loggers transmit all data that is typed on your computer 
to a third party who uses the information to steal passwords, 
bank account numbers, paypal passwords etc. Cookie trackers 
again steal your ID and passwords on different sites and 
then transmit that data to anti-social elements. 

So it is better to get rid of spyware. This is easier said 
than done. Spyware cannot be uninstalled in the usual 
manager because the spyware usually make changes to the 
operating system. For deleting the spyware you need 
specialist programs called anti-spyware. You will find 
a lot of fake “anti-spyware” masquerading as anti-spyware.  
“Malicious programmers have released a large number 
of fake anti-spyware programs.”2

If you use these anti-spyware programs you will end up 
aggravating the problem rather than solving it. There 
are genuine anti-spyware programs also. However as all 
claim to be the best it is difficult to decide which 
one to buy. I will list some of the criteria which 
should be checked before purchasing an anti-spyware 
program. Ensuring these points will yield good results 
and you will get good value for your money. 

The factors to be considered are, user friendliness or 
ease of use, real time protection, automatic scheduling, 
description of spyware detected, rollback & restore 
option, can it repair registry, can it detect the malware 
listed in the second paragraph, product support such as 
email, phone, help documentation, free automatic updates 
and last but not the least the price. Consider all these 
requirements and then go for an anti-spyware purchase. 
There are some free anti-spyware programs available, 
however the performance is not up to the mark as most 
do not provide real time protection. The commercial 
versions are available at approximately  $20 to $50.

Install the software and then run a thorough scan. Keep 
updating the software database from the internet. This 
will keep your anti-spyware software up to date and 
your computer free from spyware. 



References:
1.“Adware and Spyware Wreak Havoc on Unsuspecting 
Internet Users".Computer Security News. February 2006
2.Roberts, Paul F. "Spyware-Removal Program Tagged 
as a Trap". eWeek. May 26, 2005.