How do you know if you have spy-ware?

• The computer has become slower.
• Boot time dramatically increases.
• Your home page has changed.
• Toolbars appear that you didn’t download.
• Windows Update stops working
• New Items suddenly appear in you favorites
• You search engine changes

So where to from here.

Firstly if using Windows XP , Vista or 7 scan your computer with Windows Defender and Windows Security Essentials
If it has been disabled try and start it and scan your system.
Check if you have open ports on your system by going to GRC.com and go to ShieldsUP and running the program ShieldsUP
If it shows open ports that are a vulnerability ,then try and close these ports in your firewall setup.

Install and run what appears to be now the new favorite for spy-ware removal SuperAnti Spyware ,follow the installation instructions and leave at defaults.
Make sure you update the program before running.
Run this program in safe mode by rebooting your computer and pressing F8 as soon as the computer begins to start.
If successful at doing this you will be given options to start , choose safe mode.
Now run SuperAnti Spyware , action what it finds.

Then reboot your computer again into safe mode and run SuperAnti Spyware again , action what it finds and repeat until it finds nothing.

Next download and install Malware Antibytes run it again in safe mode, update it and do a full system scan.

Action what it finds.

So
you have done all the above and done a full system scan with your
anti-virus program and your computer is still not behaving properly.

REMEMBER there is no guarantee when removing spyware or virus’s that you will be able to remove all traces.

This leads to the final solution , format and reinstall your operating system.

This is the only guarantee that you have that all traces will be removed.

When reinstalling put on SuperAnti Spyware and Adaware along with Windows Defender and your antivirus of choice.