Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) that acquires personal information from your computer and reports it to another computer system or user without your knowledge or permission. Usually spyware is used by online businesses for marketing purposes. They use the spyware to obtain information about what hardware or software you have and the manufacturers. Sometimes spyware can obtain personal information on what sites you visit and if you do business with any competitors. They can also obtain your email address to sell to other companies causing an increase of Spam. You should check your computer for spyware on a regular basis. Spybot Search & Destroy is a free program that removes spyware.
Although Spybot is strongly suggested by both the HelpDesk and ITS departments of the University. Spybot Search & Destroy is not a supported application for the University of Michigan.
- Go to www.spybot.com.
- Click on English next to the American Flag.
- Click on Download in the upper right corner of the page.
- Scroll down until you see a box titled Download.
- Click on the newest verison of Spybot-Search & Destory. The current verison is Spybot-Search & Destroy 1.5.2.
- Choose a Mirror or place you would like to download it from. The Helpdesk usually uses Security Wonks. Once you have choosen a Mirror, click Download Here.
Please be sure that once in the Mirror you chose the correct download! SpywareBot and Spybot are NOT the same program. Please Read before you click Download
- Once in the Mirror, read the title of the download to make sure you have Spybot Search & Destroy and most Mirrors will have a Download Now. Click that button. If you're using Security Wonks, it will bring you to a couple of red link squished together. Click of the link that says Spybot 1.5.2 Download Here. It should be the second link down. Please note the numbers (1.5.2) might change, make sure the match what you clicked on in Step 5.
- A download window should pop up asking if you would like to to do. Click Run.
- Follow the prompted steps to install Spybot.
You can also come into a Helpdesk with either your laptop or a USB drive to get the software. If you bring in your laptop we can install it for you and show you how to use it. If you bring in a USB drive we can save the program there so you can go to your computer and install it from there. Whatever way you choose to get Spybot, you can always come into one of the Helpdesk locations to learn how to use it.
There are currently two Helpdesk locations; one is in 3174 WSW and the main office is located in 207 MSB. The WSW Helpdesk is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00-12:00. It is also open on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00-5:00. The MSB Helpdesk is open from 8:00-5:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It also has later hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 to 6:30. Neither office is open on the weekends.
You can get Spybot updates from either their website or through Spybot itself. This first way is how Helpdesk pulls the updates when it is first installed.
- Follow steps 1-4 on How to get Spybot Search & Destroy Online.
- Click the newest the Detection updates 2008-??-??.
- A download window will pop up, click Run.
- When the download completes, click Close.
- Another window will pop-up saying your Spybot has not be configured right, click Spybot is configured correctly.
- When the program starts up, click Search for Updates.
- A window will pop-up and search for updates for you.
Or
- Click Updates in the left hand bar.
- Click Search and it will get updates for you.
- Click Check For Problems.
- It will take you to a screen with a progress bar on the bottom. It will check the files in your system against known pieces of spyware. Anything it finds will be listed above it.
- When the bar moves all the way from the left to the right, the check is done. You will then get an option to Fix Selected Problems and it will delete them. Anything you do not want deleted you will have to un-check before press Fix Selected Problems.
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