How to download, install, configure and update Windows malware and spyware protection programs

First, a few tips that can help protect your computer from downloading potentially dangerous programs:

  • Download programs only from websites you trust. Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any downloads.

  • Never click Agree or OK to close a window.  Instead, click the red X in the upper-right corner of the window or press Alt+F4 on your keyboard to close a window.

  • Be cautious about using music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.

  • Install the anti-spyware program Spyware Blaster and keep updated.

No matter how careful you are, you will eventually end up with some sort of spyware and need to delete it.

You should also download and install the following anti-spyware programs and run them at least once a month.  I recommend two programs, as Ad-Aware may find items that Spybot - Search and Destroy does not, and vice-versa.

Spyware Blaster

To download Spyware Blaster, click here.  Click on the download link, and on the next page, choose a download location and follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.

After installing this program, click on Updates, then click on Check for Updates. After the updates are downloaded and installed, click on Enable Protection for all Unprotected Items.  This is all you need to do for this program, other than keeping it updated.

How to update Spyware Blaster

This program should be updated at least monthly.

  1. Open Spyware Blaster.

  2. On the left side menu, click on Updates.

  3. Click on the Check for Updates button.

  4. When the updates have finished downloading, click on Enable protection for all unprotected items.

Ad-Aware

To download Ad-Aware click here.  On the left side of the screen, click on Ad-Aware Personal.  Click on Download Now.  You will be redirected to a 3rd Party mirror site.  Follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.

Run this program weekly at first. If you don't have any problems, after awhile you can go to monthly.

How to update Ad-Aware

This program should be updated at least monthly.

  1. Open the program and click on Check for updates now.

  2. On the next screen, click Connect.

  3. A box will come up that says there are new definitions available, Download and Install this file?  Click OK.

  4. When the download is finished, a new screen will come up, click Finish.

Spybot Search and Destroy

To download this program, click here.  Click on the Download Here link, and on the next page, choose a download location and follow the prompts to download and save to your Security folder.

The first time the program runs, it will bring you through some setup steps. Just do everything it says, including updates.

When all the updates have loaded, click on Immunize on the left hand side of the screen. Click on Immunize at the top of the screen.

To run the scan, click on Search and Destroy on the left hand side of the screen, if it is not already there. Then click on Check for problems.  The program will scan your computer, this will take awhile.

When the scan is finished, the screen will show the results.  Click on Select All in the menu at the top of the screen.  Then click on Fix selected problems.  In the box that comes up after the System Restore point is created, click Yes. When it has finished, close the program.

Sometimes Spybot will not be able to fix a problem and will ask if you want it to run on the next boot. If this happens, say yes, then restart the computer.

Run this program weekly at first. If you don't have any problems, after awhile you can go to monthly.

How to Update Spybot Search and Destroy

This program should be updated at least monthly.

  1. Start Spybot - S & D.  Click the Search for Updates button.  If there are available updates, they will be listed.  If there are updates you should download all of them.

  2. Click the Download Updates button.  If you have trouble with the updates, choose another download location from the dropdown menu to the left of the Download Updates button.  Click the arrow to expand the menu.

  3. As each download is finished, a large green arrow will appear next to the listed item.

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