6 Simple Steps to Rid Your Computer of Spyware, Viruses, Worms, and Other Malicious Software

It comes on gradually at first, but little by little, your Windows-based machine begins behaving strangely… until finally… you realize that your computer is completely POSSESSED! It's been overrun by spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, adware, dialers and other malicious software that must somehow be removed. You can tell that something has taken control of your machine because your applications are running very slowly, programs are freezing up or closing unexpectedly... it's downright spooky. But before you call an Exorcist, here's a few simple steps you can take to stop viruses, remove spyware and drive out any malicious programs that may be skulking about in your computer.

Step 1: Download & Install Microsoft's Service Pack 2

Microsoft frequently develops patches and upgrades for its operating systems including the Windows XP system. Service Pack 2 is a free upgrade that provides additional security features that your Windows operating system needs. Although this upgrade has been available for a number of years, some people still don't know what it is or realize that it's necessary to help keep their computers secure. So if you haven't already done so, the first thing you want to do is download this important upgrade and get it installed on your computer. It's easy to install and it's free. You can download it from Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/.

Step 2: Run Your Disk Cleanup Utility

With normal usage such as searching the Internet, downloading files, Installing or uninstalling shareware or commercial applications, chances are your computer now has several unused or unneeded files taking up space on your hard drive and slowing performance. Run the built-in Disk Cleanup utility that comes bundled with your operating system. It's already on your computer. Just click "Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup" and follow the prompts. Running Disk Cleanup will automatically remove these old unneeded files.

Step 3: Defragment Your Hard Drive

As you save different files to your hard drive, eventually your system can no longer store all of the data in each file in sequential order. Instead, it stores a fragment of the file in one location on the hard drive and other parts of the same file elsewhere on the drive... wherever it can find free space. This ultimately results in slower file retrieval times and other performance issues as the system must zigzag to several location on the hard drive in order to reassemble and open each file. The remedy for this is to defragment your hard disk drive. Defrag is also a free utility currently residing on your computer, just click: "Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter". First, highlight the drive you want to defragment and choose "Analyze". When the analysis is done, select "Defragment". Just be aware that the defragmentation process can take over an hour, so get it started and then go about your business and do something else. Check back in an hour or two and the defragmentation process should be complete.

Step 4: Clean Your Registry

Your computer's registry is something most non-technical computer users never see, yet it is vitally important to the health of your computer. Your registry stores settings and options for your hardware, operating system, and other software. Unfortunately, since the registry plays a critical role in the performance of your system, it's frequently the primary target of a computer virus. To thoroughly clean your registry, run a registry scan regularly using a registry cleaning tool. I recommend RegCure. This application is cheap and easy to use, and the initial scan is free. To run a free scan of your registry, go to: http://www.RegCure.the-spyware-remover.com

Step 5: Install Anti-Spyware Software

Spyware is unwanted software that can install itself on your computer whenever you surf the Net, open certain email, or download demo software, shareware, and music files. Once on your computer, these programs often monitor your computer usage, record your keystrokes, and generally impede your computer's normal function. Spyware is a prolific problem with countless malicious programs lurking around every corner on the Web.

Fortunately there are a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware programs available that are quite effective. However, to find and remove ALL of the various kinds of spyware hiding on your computer, you're going to need more than one anti-spyware tool in your arsenal. For instance, I often run one spyware removal application that may detect and remove 100 or more spyware programs... then I immediately run a second spyware detection tool that usually detect a dozen or so more, that the first application did NOT find. So, to rid your computer of pesky spyware I suggest you get SpyBot Search & Destroy and AdWare Alert. One is free, and the other is quite inexpensive and offers a free initial scan. For best results, I recommend you use them both to thoroughly scan your computer for spyware. To run a free scan go to: http://www.the-spyware-remover.com and http://www.safer-networking.org/

Step 6: Install A Quality Anti-Virus Tool

Computer viruses are malicious programs that will suddenly or gradually affect your computer's performance, and may even…