Spybot Search and Destroy

Installing and Running Spybot Search & Destroy

1. Read about and download Spybot Search & Destroy.
2. When Prompted, save the file to your desktop.
3. Double click on  the new file to run the installer (the file should be called spybotsd162.exe or something similar).
4. Select English and click OK.
5. Click the Next button and then I Accept on the Agreement screen.
6. Continue clicking the Next buttons, leaving the settings at the defaults.
7. Click the Install and Finish buttons to complete the installation.
8. Upon completion, Spybot will begin the setup wizard.

Completing the Setup Wizard

The setup wizard will ensure that Spybot has the most recent spyware/adware information, and will do the initial scans.

1. Click Create registry backup.

Spybot takes a few minutes to create a backup of important system files.  No progress bar is displayed, but Spybot is indeed working. The backup is complete when the Next button becomes available.

1. Click the Next button when it is available.
2. Click Search for updates.
3. Choose a download source from the list (pick one in the United States) then click Continue.
4. When the search is finished, click Download.
5. When the download is finished click Exit to close the Updater window, then click Next in the setup wizard.
6. Click Immunize this system.
7. Click Next.
8. Click Start using the program. Spybot will close its setup wizard and display the main Spybot program window.

Using Spybot Search & Destroy to Remove Adware/Spyware

• You can access Spybot by choosing Start > All Programs > Spybot Search & Destroy > Spybot Search & Destroy.

Spybot has three main functions: search for and download new spyware information updates, immunize your computer against spyware/adware infections, and search your computer for existing spyware/adware.  It is always recommended that you download new updates before immunizing or searching for spyware/adware.  Follow the rest of the instructions to fully destroy spyware/adware on your computer for the first time.  You should use Spybot monthly (or any time you experience spyware/adware-like behavior) with the following instructions.

Checking for New Updates in Spybot

1. Click the Update icon in the left pane (the left side of the Spybot program window).
2. Click the Search button.  Close a download source (preferably one in the USA), then click Continue.
3. If updates are available, click the Download button.  When all available updates have been downloaded, click Exit.

Immunize Your System to Protect Against Spyware/Adware

When New updates are available for Spybot, you should immunize your system:

1. Click Immunize in the left pane.  A dialog box will display urging you to immunize, or advising you that all known spyware is already blocked.
2. Click OK.
3. If it told you that there are bad files to block, click the Immunize button.
4. Click OK in the message that pops up saying "...objects are now blocked."

Searching for Spyware/Adware and Destroying it

Spybot Search & Destroy's namesake function - searching for and destroying spyware - should be used at least once to clean your system of spyware/adware, and occasionally afterwards:

1. Click the Search and Destroy icon in the left pane.
2. Click the Check for problems button.
3. A progress bar will display at the bottom of the window while Spybot searches for spyware and adware.
4. When finished, a list of any found spyware/adware will display in red.
5. Be sure that you uncheck anything that you think might be incorrectly identified as spyware (see the online tutorial for further explanation).
6. Click the Fix selected problems button.
7. Click Yes in the window that pops up.
8. When finished, click OK.  The list of destroyed spyware/adware programs is displayed with green check marks.