Removing and Preventing Spyware
On the Kenrick-Glennon Seminary network, every Windows PC is required to have virus protection. The Seminary provides Norton AntiVirus free of charge—if you don't have it, please contact SCS via a work order A.S.A.P.
The Seminary also highly recommends that you have a spyware removal tool on your Windows PC, because spyware not only causes your computer to crash, freeze, and slow down (in some cases), but also causes the whole network to slow down (in extreme cases). This page will help you run a spyware scan (using a free tool), and remove any spyware that might be on your computer.
Using SpyBot to Find and Remove Spyware
Follow these instructions to print from a Windows XP computer to the HP LaserJet located closest to the door in the computer lab on the 3rd floor:
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Right-click this link. and select 'Download file' or 'Save File' to save the SpyBot installer to your computer.
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Double click the SpyBot installer file after it downloads (or click the 'Run' button in the download window).
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Follow SpyBot's installation instructions.
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After SpyBot is installed, open the application, and follow its directions to download updates, create a registry backup, and clean your system.
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Once SpyBot is finished with setup, click on the 'Immunize' icon, and press the button to Immunize your computer against many known bad websites.
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Next, click on the 'Search & Destroy' icon, and press the button to Check for Problems on your computer.
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After the scan is finished (it could take a few minutes), you'll see a report of problems SpyBot found. Click 'fix selected problems' to repair your computer.
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Quit SpyBot, restart your computer, and follow directions 6-8 until no more problems are found.
For more detailed instructions, complete with screen shots, please view this page from Lehigh University.
Protecting Against Spyware On Your Computer
In the SCS, the most common complaint we receive is: "my computer is running really slow and freezes up." 99% of the time, this happens because of spyware, which can track your computer's use, and send and receive information to and from the Internet, without you ever knowing about it! Not only does this cause problems on your computer, but it could leave your computer more vulnerable to hackers and viruses.
There are a few things you can do to prevent spyware from coming onto your computer:
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Never click on links in any email, unless you know exactly what the link leads to. Many spam emails that lead to spyware look like legitimate emails from real companies and people. Don't be fooled!
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Only go to websites that you can trust - especially if you're searching on Google. Many file sharing websites, community websites, and 'free stuff' websites are loaded up with spyware and adware that will damage your computer.
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Make sure your computer is secure: have a good, working, updated virus scanning program (the Seminary gives Norton AntiVirus to everyone, free of charge). Also, scan your computer using the directions above at least once a month, or more often.
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Use a different web browser: Internet Explorer can potentially allow for less security. Think about trying out FireFox or Safari.
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Buy a Macintosh: there are very few spyware programs that can find their way onto a Mac, and so far, there aren't even any viruses that can attack a Mac!
Other Programs we Recommend Running
There are some other programs that may be helpful for you to run to prevent bad things from happening to your PC:
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Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2007 Free – This program does the same thing as SpyBot, but may find a few more pieces of spyware or adware hiding on your computer.
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Advanced Windows Care – If you're a little more technically-minded, this program would be good to try.