Using Adaware to Remove Spyware
Frequently software that is downloaded or even some websites install excess software that reports on your browsing habits or otherwise runs and does things most of us were rather weren't done. In addition to the privacy issues, these programs clog up your computer and tend to be flaky. Therefore, it is necessary that about once a month we clean this junk off of our computers. You can use more than one program and it is even a good idea. However, the program I like best for this is Lavasoft's Adaware. You should be using Version 6, Build 181.
First you need to update the software by clicking on the check for updates option.
Then click the start button to run the program.
The Scan Mode Option comes up. Always activate the in-depth scan for your first run. The smart scan is normally fine, particularly after the first time you run Adaware, but a more in depth scan is achieved by choosing the Custom scan options and selecting as shown here:
When it is done click Proceed.
The options I recommend for a more thorough (but much slower) scan add the scanning of the IE Favorites, and the hosts file along with larger files and non-executables. For me this increased my scanned objects from 42,770 and 38 seconds to 257,322 objects and nearly 5 minutes. Try it once to determine if it is useful for you.
If you don't have Lavasoft's Adaware, you can download it from: www.lavasoftusa.com