Ad-Aware SE Personal Guide
This guide shows how to configure and use the free spyware scanner Ad-Aware SE Personal. Spyware compromises the user's privacy by stealing personal data and monitoring the activities on a computer. The results of the spying will be sent via Internet to the home server of the programmer or company. The purpose of Ad-Aware SE Personal is to detect and eliminate spyware on a computer. A convenient online updater assures that the latest spyware can be detected.
Introduction to Adware and Spyware:
Many companies and criminals discovered the Internet as a lucrative way to earn money by producing and distributing spyware. The installation of spyware to a user's PC runs mostly hidden along with the installation of another program or it's injected via security holes in web browsers or the Windows system. There's a distinction between plain adware and real spyware:
Adware - Adware needs a carrier program. If active, it loads advertisement banners from the Internet and presents them to the user. Adware is very often included in freeware or free versions of commercial programs. A serious software producer tells the user explicitly about the included adware. But that's very rare in fact.
Spyware - Spyware runs hidden in the background and monitors the user's private data and activity. The acquired data will be sent over the Internet to the home server of the producer who evaluates the data. Many spyware programs run as browser plug-in, especially as BHO (Browser Helper Object) in the very insecure Internet Explorer. Usually a browser plug-in inherits the access rights of the browser. That is, it has full access to the Internet, is able to see and log every action done in the browser (e.g. online banking data, credit card numbers or other personal data) and runs unnoticed in the background. A firewall won't detect it since the browser must have access to the Internet.
Spyware is a massive threat to the user's privacy and anonymity, especially if stealing of personal data like credit card information is involved. To counter such malicious doings, a spyware scanner tool like Ad-Aware SE Personal is mandatory. It must be applied and updated frequently to protect the user.
Installation and Configuration:
Download and install Ad-Aware SE Personal.
During the installation Ad-Aware SE Personal prompts the user to do an initial check for updates and to perform a full scan. These options should be taken. Establish a connection to the Internet to check for available updates.
If spyware was found on your computer, check the items in the list and press Next.
Confirm the removal by pressing OK.
The installation and initialization is ready. Enter the Settings to configure the program.
Adjust the settings as shown below.
Press Proceed to save the settings. Ad-Aware SE Personal is ready to use now.
Updating the Spyware Database:
New spyware and adware programs surface virtually daily. Therefore it's very important to download the latest updates frequently. Ad-Aware SE Personal contains a convenient online update function. It should be used frequently, at least once a week.
Launch Ad-Aware SE Personal from the Start menu.
Enter the WebUpdate tool.
Press Configure.
If a proxy server shall be used to access the update server, enable Use HTTP Proxy and enter the IP address and port of a HTTP proxy server into the respective fields. If a direct connection is preferred, uncheck Use HTTP Proxy. Then establish a connection to the Internet and press Connect to check for new updates.
If new updates are found, they will be installed automatically. Press Finish after completion. Perform a full scan if new updates were installed, see the next chapter.
Spyware Scan:
A full scan with Ad-Aware SE Personal checks the whole system for infections by spyware. It should be applied at least daily or immediately after installing a new program.
Launch Ad-Aware SE Personal from the Start menu.
Press Start.
Select Perform a full system scan and enable Search for negligible risk entries. Then press Next to start the scan.
If spyware was found on your computer, check the items in the list and press Next.
Confirm the removal by pressing OK.
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