While many people now know to keep their AntiSpyware programs updated — most are oblivious that the software’s default settings do NOT scan for all possible problems!

Software manufactures state that users don’t want to wait a long time for scanning, so they choose a (quicker) default scanning time. So to “properly” configure the software:

SpyBot Search & Destroy

1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates
2) Select “Advanced Mode” from the “Mode” pull-down menu
3) Click on the “Tools” button on the side toolbar
4) Select ALL Tools except for the “Bug Report” (only needed when troubleshooting the SpyBot program)
5) Click on the “Settings” button on the side toolbar
6) Click on “Ignore Products”
7) Select “All Products” – then right-mouse click on the list and “Deselect All” items, but (re)select “DSO Exploit”
8) (Re)immunize to include the newly included “All Products”
9) Click on “Check for problems”

——————————————————————————–
Lavasoft’s AdAware

1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates [click on “Check for updates now” — click “Connect” to continue, then “Finish”]
2) Click “Start” to begin scanning.
3) The first time requires that we configure the settings — click on “Customize” (Change all items that are RED “X” (not grey) to GREEN “Check”) — Select ALL of your local hard drives
4) Click “Customize” to select this type of scanning
5) Click “Next” to begin scanning.

——————————————————————————–
Microsoft’s AntiSpyware

1) Launch program and check for (& install) updates (under the File pull-down menu)
2) Click on “Scan Options”
3) Select “Run a full system scan’
4) Ensure that all check boxes are selected (as well as ALL of your local hard drives)
5) Click on “Save these options” then “Run Scan Now”

I’m not sure which version of Norton AntiVirus you are using — but please run the Live Update from within the program itself. The automatic updates ONLY update the Virus Definitions. You may need to manually run Live Update a few times.

Norton’s AntiVirus has two settings: one for AutoProtect and the other for manual scans. And yes, to scan for all items you’ll need to change these options as well. You’ll notice that each section has a “Comprehensive Scan” and “Scan within Compressed Files” — select these options.

Secondly, the Norton’s AntiVirus program has “exclusion” options — unbeknownst to you many other programs could have been added (and then not scanned and removed).

——————————————————————————–

FINALLY — You should turn off Windows automatic system restore (some SpyWare “hids” there) and if necessary start Windows in the “safe mode” (pushing F8 upon starting up).

You’re not alone — keep me posted!