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What is Adware?
Adware is a program that hides itself on your computer and creates "pop-up" advertisements. Adware is usually also spyware so that it can provide advertisements based on what Web sites you are viewing.
| An example pop-up. |
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What is Spyware?
Spyware is a program that hides itself on your computer and watches you and your habits as you use your computer. It then reports this information to the company that created the spyware.
Contrary to the name, spyware is usually legal. In most cases, you must click "Yes" or "I Accept" before the spyware is installed.
The picture below shows a common way that spyware is installed.
In almost cases where you get this window, you will want to press "No".
| Spyware is often installed through windows like this. |
[ Click to Zoom ] |
What is LavaSoft Ad-Aware?
LavaSoft Ad-Aware is a program that removes adware and spyware.
The standard verison of Ad-Aware is FREE. There is no purchase or subscription fee necessary for using it.
How do I install Ad-Aware?
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After you open the installation file on your desktop, a wizard will open that will guide you through the install.
Press "Next" through all the screens, and then press "Finish" when it is done.
| Example: The first screen of the install wizard. |
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How do I use Ad-Aware?
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To open Ad-Aware in Windows 95/98/2000,
go to Start --> Programs --> LavaSoft Ad-Aware --> Ad-Aware.
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| 1b. |
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To open Ad-Aware in Windows XP,
go to Start --> All Programs --> LavaSoft Ad-Aware --> Ad-Aware.
Click to Zoom
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| 2. |
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After Ad-Aware opens, always use the "Webupdate" feature to make sure Ad-Aware is up-to-date before it scans.
Click "Check for updates now" in the lower right hand corner.
Click to Zoom
Then click "Connect" to download updates.
Click to Zoom
If there are new updates, a message box will ask if you would like to download them. Click "OK".
Once the updates finish, click "Finish". |
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| 3. |
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You should now be at the "Ad-Aware Status" screen again.
Click "Start" to being the scan of your system for spyware/adware.
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On the "Preparing system scan" screen, click "Next".
Click to Zoom
The scan will begin and you will see the "Performing system scan" screen.
The scan can take from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.
Click to Zoom
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After the scan completes, you will see the "Scan complete" screen.
You should see a number for "New Objects".
Click to Zoom
A. If you DO NOT have any "New Objects", then your computer is clean. Click "Finish" and close Ad-Aware. B. If you have ONE OR MORE "New Objects", then your computer has spyware/adware. Click "Next" to continue.
Click to Zoom
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On the "Scanning results" screen, right click anywhere in the list, and click "Select all objects".
Click to Zoom
You may want to scroll the list to make sure Ad-Aware does not quarantine any files that you need.
If you find any files that you would like to keep, uncheck them.
Click "Next" to quarantine the spyware/adware found.
Click to Zoom
Click "Yes" when it asks if you would like to remove the files.
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In some cases, Ad-Aware may ask you to restart your computer.
This is usually to remove spyware that is currently running and could not be stopped.
If this is the case, then close all programs and restart your computer to finish the removal of spyware/adware. |
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Finished!
It is recommend that you run Ad-Aware at least once a month to make sure new spyware/adware is removed.
If you still have Ad-Aware open, you may close it.
Where can I find more guides for Ad-Aware?
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