How to use the Ad-aware program to remove spyware.

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Ad-aware is a powerful and easy-to-use program for removing spyware/adware/malware from an infected PC. It is perhaps the most-used tool on the market today for removing these malicious programs. This document will detail how you can download, install and use this program effectively on your Windows PC.

What you need to do:

Download the program.

You can visit the Ad-aware download page here. Follow the instructions they give to download the Ad-aware SE personal Edition. Be sure to save the installer file somewhere you can find it later, such as My Documents or the Desktop.

Install the program.

Simply browse to the installer program you downloaded (it should be named something like aawsepersonal.exe) and double-click on it. This should begin the installation process. Follow the step-by-step instructions they give and you should be fully installed in no time.

After you install Ad-aware you should be presented with a screen like this:

We recommend you allow the program to do all of the above. If you leave the checks in place and click the "Finish" button, Ad-aware will automatically update (if you are connected to the internet) and run a system scan.
See the details below for updating and performing a scan.

Run the program.

The main Ad-Aware screen. The image blow shows the main screen of the Ad-Aware program.

 

The updater utility looks like this.

Just click the "connect" button to get the latest updates. (This should happen automatically the first time you run Ad-aware).

You will need to be currently connected to the internet to get updates. Just like anti-virus software, it is critical that Ad-aware be updated before you run a system scan. This will ensure that Ad-aware can find the newest threats on your computer.

 

During a scan you will see a screen like this:

Notice the items in red. These are all files/registry keys/cookies etc that Ad-aware associates as Spyware.

When the scan is complete, the "Cancel" button will change into a "Next" button. Click it and you will see a screen that looks like this:

This displays the list of everything Ad-aware found during its scan. You can now examine them and decide which objects to keep and which to remove. Unless you have specific needs to keep any of these malicious objects, you're best off deleting all of them. To do that you will need to put a check in the box next to each item. To select all of the objects you can "right click" on any of the items. This should pop up a menu that looks like this:

Choose hoose "Select All Objects" from the list. This will put a check mark in all of the objects. Once you have selected all the objects the screen should look like this:

Simply click the "next" button. You will be prompted with another screen:

Click "Ok" and Ad-aware will attempt to remove all the objects it has located.

Occasionally, Ad-aware will find an object that it can't remove right away. It will prompt you and ask if you would like Ad-aware to run during your next start-up of your machine so it can try to intercept the bad programs before they start. We suggest you do so and restart your computer at your nearest convenience to do so.

That's all there is to it. Ad-aware has safely removed much of the Spyware/Adware/Malware from your computer. It is highly recommended that you update and run Ad-aware at least once a week.

If you have any questions about Ad-aware, feel free to check out the built-in help file, visit their web-site (at http://www.lavasoftusa.com) or ask the WITS Help Desk (x6767, wits@willamette.edu)

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