A type of malicious software that will perform certain actions without consent, such as: advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your device.If you notice slowness on your machine, changes to your browser, or other unusual activity, it is possible that your computer has been compromised.
Step 1: You need to download and install HijackThis.
The tool is used to detect the presence of spyware.Click the install button if you want to run it.After installation, launch the software.Other free software will work with a similar process.
Step 2: Press the button.
The button is located in the lower right corner and will take you to a list of options for the program.You can turn on or off important options here.It's a good idea to make a backup when working with files.They take up a small amount of storage space, but they can always be deleted from the backups folder.By default, "Make backups before fixing items" is toggled on.
Step 3: To return to the main menu, press Back.
While the configuration menu is open, this button replaces the "Config..." button.
Step 4: Press "Scan".
There is a button located in the lower left corner.It is important to note that HijackThis does a quick scans for malicious software.Some of the results will not be harmful.
Step 5: Click "Info on selected item..." if you want to know more about it.
This will give information about the item and why it was flagged.When you are done, close the window.The file location, likely use, and action to be taken as a fix are some of the details that will be included.
Step 6: Press the button to have the fix checked.
The button is located in the lower left and the software can either repair or remove the selected file.If you want to fix multiple files at a time, you need to check the box next to each file.HijackThis will create a backup if you make any changes.
Step 7: Go back to a backup.
If you want to get rid of the changes made by HijackThis, you have to press the "Config" and "Backup" buttons.Select your backup file from the list and press restore.There are backups through different sessions.You can restore a file from a backup after closing HijackThis.
Step 8: You can open a command line window.
Netstat is a Windows utility that can help detect malicious files.To manually run a program, press Win + R.You can use the command line to interact with the operating system.This approach is good for people who want to avoid using third party software or manual removal of malicious software.Run as administrator if you want to make sure you run an elevated command prompt window.
Step 9: The text "netstat -b" should be entered.
A list of programs using a connection or listening port will be displayed.There are processes connecting to the internet.There is a meaning to the word 'b' in this context.The command shows the runningbinaries and their connections.
Step 10: Bad processes should be identified.
Look for port usage or unfamiliar process names.You can research a process's name online.The process can be identified by others who have encountered it.It is time to remove the file that is running the malicious process.If you don't know if the process is malicious or not, then leave it alone.Other software may not work properly if the wrong files are tampered with.
Step 11: Press the keys at the same time.
The Windows Task Manager lists all of the processes on your computer.There is a bad process in the command line.
Step 12: Click the process name if you want to show it in the folder.
The bad file can be found in the directory location.
Step 13: Click the file to remove it.
The bad file will be moved to the recycling bin.Processes can't run from this location.If you get an alert that the file can't be deleted because it's in use, return to the Task Manager, select the process and press "End Task".The process will end so that it can be recycled.If you accidentally deleted the wrong file, you can double-click the recycling to open it and then drag the file back out.
Step 14: Select the empty recycling bin from the drop down menu.
The file will be permanently deleted.
Step 15: The terminal can be opened.
You can use the Terminal to run a diagnostic that can detect the presence of spyware on your computer.To launch, go to Applications > Utilities and double-click Terminal.Text commands can be used to interact with the operating system.There is a way to search forTerminal in the Launchpad.
Step 16: Hit Return if you enter the text "sudo lsof -i".
The computer will be instructed to output a list of processes.The command gives root access to system files.There is a list of open files.You can see running processes.The list of open files must use the network interface.The network will be used to communicate with outside sources.It's a necessity for the operating system to filter out those using listening ports.
Step 17: Hit Return if you want to enter your computer's administrator password.
Your password won't be displayed in the terminal, but it will be entered.This is needed for the command.
Step 18: Bad processes should be identified.
Look for port usage or unfamiliar process names.You can research a process's name online.The process can be identified by others who have encountered it.It is time to remove the file that is running the malicious process.If you don't know if the process is malicious or not, then leave it alone.Other software may not work properly if the wrong files are tampered with.
Step 19: Hit Return if you enter "lsof" and " grep cwd".
This will tell you where the processes are on your computer.You can find the bad process in the list.CWd stands for the current working directory.You can make the lists easier to read by pressing Cmd + N in a new Terminal window.
Step 20: Hit Return if you enter "sudo rm -rf [path to file]".
Do not type the brackets if you want to paste the location.The file will be deleted at that path.”rm” means to remove.Make sure you remove the entered item.This process is irreversible.You might want to back up your Time Machine.You can backup by going to Apple's System Preferences > Time Machine.
Step 21: Look for suspicious behavior.
If you are receiving suspicious text messages or are experiencing slow network speeds, then you may have something on your phone.Text messages with gibberish or requesting replies with certain codes are good indicators that you have something.
Step 22: You should check your data usage.
Go to the settings app and tap on the data usage option.You can see the data usage of your different apps.It is possible that high data usage is a sign of spyware.
Step 23: You should back up your data.
Drag and drop your data when you connect your phone to your computer.You can back it up with photos or contact info.Your computer won't become infections since the device and operating systems are different.
Step 24: Go to the settings app and tap on the backup and reset option.
There are a number of restoration options, including restoring the phone to factory settings.
Step 25: There is a factory data reset.
There is a button at the bottom of the menu.
Step 26: The phone needs to be reset.
All apps and data will be removed and the phone restored to its factory state.Resetting the phone will remove all of the data on the device.You don't want to lose the data if you make a backup first.