Remove or Uninstall Specific Spyware or Adware

Spyware is a malicious software that will install itself onto a computer without the users consent. The softwares intent is to spread throughout the computer and access private information while recording web surfing habits (they don't call it "spy"-ware for nothing). This information is relayed back to the spyware designer to use as they see fit.

You should be worried for the first most obvious reason - your information is not secure! Any information you input whether it be credit cards, social security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers can be swiped.

The other reason to worry is the potential damage caused to your computer. Spyware attaches itself to the computer's registry and corrupts the hard drive. Left to it's own devices, spyware can completely destroy a computer. I have seen it before - it happened to me! All of your information can be erased and lost forever. The threat of spyware and other dangerous viruses is the biggest danger facing internet users today.

Adware is nothing more than spyware's older brother. Adware came before spyware and was once considered a legitimate form of advertising. Companies would offer their programs for free but would bundle advertisements with the software. These became known as "pop up ads". Although they were minor annoyances, they really didn't cause much harm and could easily be uninstalled.

But not surprisingly as adware gained popularity people began manipulating it. More dangerous forms emerged that would not be easily uninstalled and would steal information from your computer. The line between the two became blurred and now adware is part of the "malignant" group along with spyware and viruses.

So your computer is infected and you want to specifically target and remove the spyware or adware. There are really two options here:

1. You can remove the spyware manually. If you know what program is causing the trouble then you can remove it through the control panel. Click on the Add/Remove programs option and cycle through the list until you find the appropriate program.

Unfortunately spyware programs have gotten increasingly stealthy as of late and doing a simple add/remove is often not enough. You need to locate the infected files within your registry and system process and delete those as well.

And even if you do so that does not guarantee the spyware will be eliminated. Newer forms of spyware simply regenerate themselves when you reboot.


2. Download a spyware removal tool. I recommend this method for a couple reasons. Unless you are a computer expert it can be difficult to trace all of the malicious files associated with spyware. They can take on many different names in random folders all over your hard drive. A great scanner tool will detect spyware anywhere all with the click of a button.

There is also danger when you start deleting registry files that you inadvertently remove a necessary system file. This could also cause serious problems with your computer.

With a few clicks of the mouse you can be spyware free. Get a free scan with what I consider the best spyware remover on the internet today.

P2P programs with spyware

Kazaa

Bearshare

Morpheus

eDonkey

iMesh

P2P programs tested free of spyware

Limewire

BitTorrent

Frostwire

BitLord

Shareaza

Note: There has been a lot of discussion over whether Limewire comes with any bundled spyware. To date that has been no direct proof of this claim. Here is an article which backs that up: Limewire article