Scan PC for Spyware, Adware and Trojans ...
What is malware?
Malware (for "malicious software") is programming or files that are developed for the purpose of doing harm. Thus, malware includes computer viruses, worms, and trojan horses
What is Spyware?
Spyware is as the name suggests a program that is installed on your computer without you knowing. You might be surfing websites, checking email, downloading music, sharing photos or downloading a program without knowing that someone is watching you. Spyware installs keyloggers, monitoring software, web site loggers and also common adware, web parasites, tracking cookies and many other annoying programs used to invade your privacy.
Adware: Adware causes ad banners to popup on your screen, changes banners on websites, can change your Yahoo and Google search results with advertisements instead of your true results, and place Windows advertisements on your desktop, start menu, and in your web browser Favorites and Bookmarks.
Trojan Horse: A Trojan horse is a program in which malicious or harmful code is contained inside apparently harmless programming or data in such a way that it can get control and do its chosen form of damage, such as ruining the file allocation table on your hard disk. A Trojan horse may be widely redistributed as part of a spyware.
Browser hijacker: A browser hijacker changes the home page without your permission and can also plant a parasite in your software that acts like spyware or adware.
How can I get rid of them?
- Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool. This program is updated monthly, so always download the latest version before you use it.
- Microsoft's Windows Defender. If you suspect that you have spyware on your PC, update the program so it can find the newest bad stuff.
Start by running the Malicious Software Removal Tool. This program searches for and destroys only a small fraction of malware, But it finds some of the most serious strains of spyware and virus you can get.
If that doesn't work, run the installer for Windows Defender (if you don't already have it) and make sure that the program you downloaded is updated. Then click the downward-pointing arrow to the right of the word 'Scan' at the top of the Defender window and choose Full Scan. If Defender finds malware, follow the on-screen instructions to delete the harmful files. This may require one or more reboots, because some spyware won't let you uninstall it while Windows is running.