How to Remove Spyware

As there are so many variants of spyware threats, it is highly recommended that you use an anti-spyware software product (plenty of free versions listed in the Downloads section). Anti-spyware software carries a database of all-known threats, so a system scan will detect all traces and know how best to remove them. There are many free applications which will do a good job at keeping your system clean, as long as the internal database is kept up to date.

There is no harm in installing more than one anti-spyware solution (as long as they don't run at the same time), so it is worth downloading a couple of the more popular applications to make sure that your PC is covered from all angles. If you suspect that you have an infection or you are performing a weekly checkup, simply run each anti-spyware package, update the internal database and perform a full scan. Automatic removal is very simple in most cases.

If you are unable to remove the spyware automatically, look up the name of the spyware that is causing a problem in the spyware database for manual removal instructions. Be sure to backup your system before implementing any changes, as some removals require registry modifications which can cause problems if performed incorrectly. It is very rare that a spyware infection will require a total computer format, but some more resilient infections may require this type of manual removal.