Spyware and Virus Information
How do I update Windows in order to minimize security risks?
How do I clean spyware off of my computer?
Ad-Aware how-to
Spybot Search & Destroy how-to
How do I install Symantec Antivirus on my computer?
How do I turn on Automatic Updates for Windows?
Additional Information
OverviewVirus and spyware creators have been hard at work writing malicious programs designed to take control of your computer. These programs will litter your screen with pop-up ads and may
steal your passwords by recording what you type on the keyboard when you visit popular banking, auction or e-mail web sites.
Users must actively protect themselvesagainst these malicious programs.Most of these programs are installed through pop-ups that you see when browsing the internet. Even though they are disguised as "spyware fixes," the programs installed through pop-ups actually are malicious. DO NOT BELIEVE THE POP-UPS! They are designed to look convincing, warning you of trouble on your computer that can easily be corrected if you simply click OK. DO NOT DO IT! Always look for the X in the upper right-hand corner of the window to close them.
Most peer-to-peer and file sharing programs, like Kazaa and Blubster, COME WITH SPYWARE. When you install these programs, you're installing spyware right along with them! This spyware will bog down your computer's performance and eventually will make your computer unusable. Do not install file sharing programs.
To find out how to clean spyware off of your computer,
CLICK HERE.The other types of programs that can cause trouble are viruses. Most of these infect your computer by taking advantage of flaws in earlier versions of Microsoft Windows. Windows Update and a solid anti-virus program are the best tools against these types of problems. Wofford furnishes Symantec Antivirus software for all students, faculty, and staff.
Updating Windows
1. Open Internet Explorer and run Windows Update (
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com). You can either type it in directly to the address bar or navigate the Tools menu down to "Windows Update":
2. Click on "Scan for updates" or "Express Install", depending on your operating system.
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3. After it's through scanning, look for the "Review and Install Updates" or "Install" button and click it.
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4. If you clicked "Review and install updates", there will be another "Install Now" box you have to click on to get the download started.
5. After the updates have finished installing, you will see a prompt to restart your computer. Click on "OK" or "Restart Now."
6. After you've rebooted the computer, repeat these steps and check for more updates. THE MOST IMPORTANT UPDATE for Windows XP is "Service Pack 2" and for Windows 2000, "Service Pack 4." If there are no more updates available, move on to the next section of this web site about the removal of spyware.
Spyware Removal
We recommend two programs for spyware removal: Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. BOTH of these programs should be installed and used to keep your PC spyware-free. We also recommend that you update and scan with this software once a week to make sure your computer stays clean.
Ad-Aware
First, click
THIS LINK to download Ad-Aware. When you are prompted with what to do next, select OPEN or RUN. The program will then download and the setup process will begin. After setup has begun, click NEXT (be sure to accept their agreement by clicking the check box) until you come down to the last screen and see three check boxes already checked, along with a FINISH button.
Click the FINISH button and the program will automatically update itself and begin the scanning process.
Once the scan has completed, you will see something like this:
RIGHT-CLICK on any of the boxes on the left side of the screen and select "Select All Objects."
Finally, click the NEXT button and Ad-Aware will clean the spyware off of your computer.
** Keep your computer spyware-free with weekly Ad-Aware scans **
It is imperative that you scan your computer at least once a week to check for new spyware that may have been installed. Start by opening the program via the Programs menu or the shortcut on your desktop.
Next, click on the "Check for updates now" link:
If the program detects updates and asks if you would like to install them, click YES. Once they have been downloaded and installed, click FINISH.
Now, press the "Start" button in the bottom right-hand corner of the program and allow it to scan for spyware.
CLICK HERE to see what to do next.
Spybot Search & Destroy
The install for Spybot is much like that of Ad-Aware. First, click
THIS LINK to download the program and then click OPEN or RUN to begin the install.
Click OK for English, then NEXT through all of the other prompts during the install. Finally, click FINISH.
When Spybot opens, click on "Search for Updates":
After it scans for updates, click all of the check boxes that appear at the bottom of the screen and then click on "Download Updates."
Once the updates have downloaded and installed, click the "Search & Destroy" icon in the upper left hand corner of the program window, and then click "Check for problems."
Spybot will now scan your computer for other forms of spyware and, after a few minutes, show results similar to this:
Make sure all of the red items have a check beside them, and then press the "Fix selected problems" button at the top of the window. Another window will pop up and ask if you are sure you want to remove the items. Click YES.
Spybot will then remove the spyware. * There is a chance it will not be able to repair it all and will prompt you to scan again after you reboot. If it asks to do this, agree and then reboot the computer. (START-SHUTDOWN-RESTART)
Finally, you'll need to immunize your computer against known spyware threats. To do this, open the program and simply click on the Immunize button:
The next prompt you are likely to see is one similar to this:
Press OK here. Finally, click on the Immunize button with the green + beside it:
** Keep your computer spyware-free with weekly Spybot Search & Destroy scans **
Like with Ad-Aware, you should run a weekly scan of your computer with Spybot to make sure you have not picked up any new spyware. Open the program via the desktop shortcut or program group icon. Refer to these directions on how to proceed from here.
Symantec Antivirus (**NOTE** - This antivirus software below can ONLY be accessed when you are on the Wofford campus and plugged into the local area network. This software is for Wofford College students only. Once you have graduated you are expected to uninstall this software and purchase your own antivirus solution).
Please uninstall any other virus protection programs before installing this version. For example, many computers come pre-loaded with Norton Antivirus or McAfee. These should be removed first or you may have software conflicts that could cause other problems.
Also, please make sure you have installed all of the "Critical Updates" from Windows Update as well as scanned and cleaned your system with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy before installing Symantec Antivirus.
If you have done all of this, click on THIS LINK. You will be asked to enter your user name and password, which will be the same as your email ones.
If your computer is running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, click on the first instance of HERE to start the installation process.
If your computer is running Windows Vista, click on the second instance of HERE to start the installation process.
From there, a Symantec deployment page will open. Click INSTALL NOW to start the installation process.
At the end of the installation, you may be prompted by a message that says your antivirus definitions might be over 20 days old. If you remain connected to the Wofford Intranet for another few minutes, the software should auto-update itself.
If you have any questions regarding the usage of this software, please visit the Wofford Help Desk in Olin 207.
Turning on Automatic Updates for Windows* Make sure you do this after you have already installed all of the Windows Updates.
Windows 2000 Professional:
Start by clicking on START - SETTINGS - CONTROL PANEL
Then, double-click on the Automatic Updates icon
In the window that pops up, check the box at the top beside "Keep my computer up to date." Then, select the radio button beside "Automatically download and install the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify." Select a time that you know your computer will be turned on and connected to the internet. Then, click on OK.
Windows XP Home/Professional:
Start by closing all of your applications so that all you see is your desktop. Next, right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties". The My Computer icon will either be on your desktop, or in the START menu. If it's not on the desktop, click START and look through the list of programs there for "My Computer".
Next, select the "Automatic Updates" tab at the top of the window.
Finally, make sure the dot beside "Automatic (recommended)" is highlighted and that you select "Every Day" in the first box, and a time you know your computer will be turned on and connected to the internet in the second. Click OK after you have done this. * If your window is grayed out like this picture, then you have joined the Wofford domain and are already getting your updates automatically.
Additional Information Stinger is a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific current viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system. Download Stinger
There are also a number of online virus scans that you can run. These are effective in removing viruses that are already on your computer, but do nothing to prevent their entry. One of the best scanners is:
Another tool that can keep your system running smoothly is Disk Defragmenter. This can be run by going to the Start Menu, then Programs. From there go to Accessories, then System Tools and finally Disk Defragmenter, as shown below.
This is a great program to run after you have installed or deleted programs or files because it moves related data together on the hard drive so that it can be accessed quicker.