Spybot: Search & Destroy is currently one of the best tools for removing spyware and adware from your computer.  This page describes how to download, install, and properly run Spybot: Search & Destroy 1.3.  Note: This tutorial was designed for using Spybot on a computer running Windows XP.  If you are running a different version of Windows, this tutorial is still very applicable although minor details could be different.  If you are having trouble running Spybot, contact your local ResCom desk.

1. Updating Spybot
2. Immunizing you computer
3. Running a scan

If this is your first time using Spybot, take a look at the Running Spybot for the first time Tutorial.  This includes downloading, installing, and setting up Spybot. 

Running Spybot

Spybot by default will place an icon on your desktop, in your Quick Launch bar, and create a Spybot folder in your Start Menu.  Click one of these shortcuts to load Spybot. 

When Spybot starts, it shows a legal disclaimer that says Spybot might remove files that are necessary to run other programs correctly.  For example, Kazaa is bundled with the spyware program Cydoor.  If you remove the Cydoor files with Spybot, Kazaa will not work anymore.

1. Updating Spybot

Every time you start Spybot, the first step you should take is to update the software.  Just like computer viruses, new spyware is coming out all the time and, if your Spybot is not updated, it could miss new spyware on your system.

To update Spybot, click the "Search for Updates" button in the main Spybot window (you must be connected to the Internet to do this).  This will automatically connect to a Spybot site and look for any updates that are available.

If there are no updates available, a small window will pop up informing you that you have the most recent updates available.  If this happens, you can move on to the next step, Immunizing your computer.

If updates are available, they will show up on the screen.  Spybot does not automatically install updates when they are found.  Make sure that the checkboxes beside all of the updates are checked.

Then make sure the "mirror" is set to "Spybot.US (USA)".  By doing this, the download process should go much faster. Please note: It can take up to 4 minutes for the program to start downloading the updates. Please be patient and let it finish the update.

Once the checkboxes and mirror have been set, click the "Download Updates" button to download and install the updates. 

If the download and install was successful, the red question marks will change to green check marks.  If you see the green check marks next to all the updates, you can proceed to Step 2, Immunizing you computer.  Note: After the updates are successfully installed, the Spybot software may need to restart. 

If the download fails, you will see crossed out exclamation points instead of green check marks.

If this happens, first, make sure you are connected to the Internet.  If you are sure you are connected to the Internet, the problem could be that your computer cannot connect to the download mirror Spybot is set to.  Try setting Spybot to download from another mirror site and see if it can now download the update(s). 

If you cannot get the updates to download successfully, contact you local ResCom desk.  Once you have downloaded all available updates, the next step is to immunize your computer.

2. Immunizing your computer

After updating Spybot, you should immunize your computer.  To do this, first click the "Immunize" button on the left hand side of the Spybot window. 

Hopefully, it will come up with an information window like the one below saying that all known bad products are already blocked. If this happens, your computer is already immunized and you can move on to the next step, Running a Scan.

If you do not see this message, you will see a warning like the one below.  This means that you need to immunize your computer.

There are 2 things that you need to do to immunize.  First, press the "Immunize" button in the top right corner of the main window in Spybot.  This feature will change some Internet Explorer settings to block the installation of known spyware threats.  Second, you should check the box labeled "Enable permanent blocking of bad addresses in Internet Explorer".  This is a second layer of protection for Internet Explorer that blocks more spyware.

Once you have done this, the immunize windows should look like the screenshot below.  Notice that the exclamation points have turned into check marks.  You can now move on and run a Spybot scan.

3. Running a scan (Search & Destroy)

Remember, before running a Spybot scan, make sure you have the most current updates; if you don't, some spyware may go undetected by Spybot.  To open the scan window, click the "Search & Destroy" button on the left hand side of the screen.  Alternatively, you can click the "Check for problems" button in the middle of the screen. 

When the Search & Destroy window opens, click the "Check for problems" button and Spybot will start a scan of your computer for spyware.

Once the scan is complete, a list of the spyware on your computer will be listed in the window.  Make sure to check the boxes next to all the spyware you want to remove.  Click the "Fix selected problems" button to have Spybot remove the spyware from your computer.  Note: If you use Kazaa, do NOT check the box next to the spyware "Cydoor".  If you remove Cydoor, Kazaa will not work. 

If all spyware is removed successfully, you will get a confirmation box that tells you the number of problems that were fixed.  Also, large green check marks will appear next to all the spyware problems that were fixed.

Sometimes, a warning will appear that says some problems couldn't be fixed.  This usually happens because files Spybot is trying to delete are currently in use, ie. the spyware is currently running on your computer.  Click "Yes" to have Spybot run the next time you start your computer.

A confirmation will appear next and tell you to restart your computer.  Close Spybot and all other open programs and restart your computer.

When the computer restarts, Spybot will automatically load and start scanning your computer.  Once the scan is complete, follow the directions for fixing the problems above.

Your computer should now be spyware free.  If you still have problems or questions about Spybot Search & Destroy, contact the Rescom desk in your commons area.

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