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Correcting some spyware infections with an often overlooked tool

Some of the nastiest spyware infections can be dealt with easier than previously thought if you try the following steps immediately after becoming infected:

  1. Shut off your high speed modem OR simply unplug the Ethernet cable connecting your computer to the modem or router
  2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode and attempt to run a disk cleanup from the Accessories –> System Tools menu or use the CCleaner or Cleanup program if you have them installed.
  3. Then go to the accessories menu and run System Restore. Choose a date at least two weeks prior to the infection and restore the computer.
  4. After the computer restarts, IF the restore was successful (and it will tell you so), run a full disk scan with your antivirus software and any anti-spyware software you have loaded
  5. Restart your computer again, and this time connect back to the Internet
  6. Update your antivirus and antispyware products and run another full scan

I have had good success with this routine if the infection is caught quick enough (usually within a day or so).

3 thoughts on “Correcting some spyware infections with an often overlooked tool”

  1. I couldn’t be more in agreement. I’m kind of wondering, do you anticipate more of the same for the future? I am really intrigued by your website and your posts.

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