Anonymizer.com - SpyWare Killer Help

Introduction

Anti-Spyware finds and removes programs that may be used to capture your private information so it can be shared with marketers and spyware authors. While not all spyware programs will damage your computer, these types of programs may open your computer to additional tracking software that may expose your personal and private information to others without your permission. These programs often accumulate on your computer while you surf the Internet, usually without your direct knowledge.

1. Main

Scan Button

Clicking the "SCAN" button initiates a scan of your computer for spyware. The button will blink "Scanning" while the scan is in progress. If you want to stop the scan before it's finished, click the "SCANNING" button and you'll see this dialog window:

Click "YES" to confirm that want to stop the scan. Otherwise, clicking "NO" will resume the scan.

Other Buttons

"Preferences," "Restore," "Always Kill List" and "Always Trust List" buttons will change the view from Main to other Anti-Spyware program screens. For more detail, see the Help sections below.

Anonymizer

If you have already installed Anonymizer 2005, this button will launch the program. Otherwise it will take you to a web page where you can find more information about online privacy.

Help

Clicking the "HELP" button will open this Help file.

Turbo Scan

Over 99% of spyware can be found by searching all the places it is normally installed. Turbo Scan only checks those locations, greatly accelerating the scan process.

Auto Kill detected items

Checking this option will automatically delete all detected spyware without having to select and manually delete the detected spyware files.

Ask before rebooting

Removal of some spyware components requires rebooting the computer. If this box is checked you will be notified if any spyware is found that requires rebooting to complete its removal.

Update Now

Clicking the "Update Now" button will check for new Anti-Spyware definition files and install them, if available. Definition files are updated periodically so that Anti-Spyware can detect and remove the most recent spyware programs.

SpyWare Statistics

Total Files Scanned - The number of files scanned by Anti-Spyware.
Total Registry Keys Scanned - The number of registry keys scanned by Anti-Spyware.
Total SpyWare Detected - The number of spyware files that have been detected during a scan.
Total SpyWare Removed - The number of spyware files that have been deleted as the result of executing the "Kill Selected" command button.

Scan Results

SpyWare - The name of the spyware detected by Anti-Spyware.
Action - What Anti-Spyware will do to this file if you choose to "kill" it.
Component - The file name or registry entry of this part of the detected spyware program.
Kill Status - Check this box for all spyware components you want to delete.

Select All

This button automatically selects all the spyware components for "killing". If all are selected the button changes to "Unselect All" which un-checks all the boxes.

Kill Selected

To delete the spyware program components that were found on your computer, make sure the "Kill Status" box is checked for all the components you want removed, and then click the "Kill Selected" button to remove those components.

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2. Preferences

Edit Schedule

Anti-Spyware allows you to schedule a specific time when it will scan your computer to check for spyware. When the schedule dialog opens, click the "Schedule" tab to enter a time and frequency for the program to automatically run.

Update Program options

The "Update Program" button will immediately check to see whether an update is available for the Anti-Spyware application. You may also check the appropriate boxes if you wish this to happen automatically upon system startup.

Update Definitions options

The "Update Definitions" button will immediately check for new Anti-Spyware definition files and install them, if available. Definition files are updated periodically so that Anti-Spyware can detect and remove the most recent spyware programs. (This feature is also available on the Main screen as the "Update Now" button.) You may also check the appropriate boxes if you wish this to happen automatically upon system startup.

Scan Options

Turbo Scan
Over 99% of spyware can be found by searching all the places it is normally installed. Turbo Scan only checks those locations, greatly accelerating the scan process.
Auto Kill detected items
Checking this option will automatically delete all detected spyware without having to select and manually delete the detected spyware files.
Ask before rebooting
Removal of some spyware components requires rebooting the computer. If this box is checked, you will be notified if any spyware is found that requires rebooting.

Startup Options

Scan for SpyWare at startup.
Checking this box will cause Anti-Spyware to automatically start scanning your hard drive as soon as the program is launched.
Start at Windows startup
Checking this box will automatically start the Anti-Spyware application upon system startup.
Start only in the system tray
Checking this box will cause Anti-Spyware to startup in a "minimized" state, with only the program icon visible in the system tray.

3. Restore

Sometimes removing spyware can interfere with the operation of other applications. Use this screen to restore any previously removed spyware. You can select items individually or use the "Select All" button and then click "Restore Selected."

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4. Always Kill List

If you find your PC is regularly infected by the same spyware, then check the box next to its name so that it is always automatically removed when you run a scan.

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5. Always Trust List

If you have trusted applications or files that you want Anti-Spyware to leave alone, check the box next to that item so that it is not removed during a scan.

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