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Installing SpyBot Search and Destroy

Installing anti-spyware software at work and home:

Please consult with your local/departmental computing support staff before installing anti-spyware software onto your work computer at the UW.

While "SpyBot (Search and Destroy)" may be used as a tool by your local/departmental computing staff, they might prefer to install other software. You should use the SpyBot (or similar) software when connecting your own (not centrally managed) computer at home or in a residence hall to UW resources.

Obtain the SpyBot (Search and Destroy) installer and run it to install SpyBot:

  1. Visit Download SpyBot (S&D)
  2. Select the one of the download "mirrors" and click DOWNLOAD here.
  3. Choose to save the installer in the known location (for example your "desktop").
  4. Open the folder containing the installer and double-click it to begin installation.
  5. After selecting a default application language accept all default options during the installation.
  6. Click Finish to complete the installation. the installer begins the first run of the program.

Use And Configuration.

FIRST RUN

1. Upon first run (and after that if you choose to) you will be presented with this warning:

For most of us, advertisement robots (which may be spyware) are not desirable,  so it is usually a good idea to click OK.

You should realize, however, that if such programs are on your computer they were probably put there when you downloaded a shareware or freeware program.

Removing the robot will often disable the program that installed it.

 

If you don't want to see this message again please check the box "Don't show this message again"

.

2. Next you will be presented with the Registry Backup warning

Even though SpyBot (S&D) is very reliable it may prove useful to have a registry backup in case something goes wrong. It is recommended to make a copy of the registry. If space on the hard drive is a consideration, you may omit this step. Click on NEXT to proceed.

3. DO "Search for updates", press "Download all available updates" button. If the download failed (message bad checksum) appeared. skip this step and press NEXT to proceed. You will be able to download updates later.

Upon successful download click "Start using the program" button.

CLOSE THE PROGRAM.

SECOND RUN (and subsequently)

START the program.

EVERY TIME before scanning the system please SEARCH FOR UPDATES, place check marks next to the updates that are found and click DOWNLOAD UPDATES.

If there were immunization database updates make sure to click the Immunize option on the left and do IMMUNIZE before scanning your PC. Immunization will stop identified active-X controls from being executed in Internet Explorer.

To scan the system start the application, click on CHECK FOR PROBLEMS, let the scanner complete its job.


Click on FIX SELECTED PROBLEMS button to let the program take care of the detected malware.

ADVANCED FEATURES

If you feel comfortable configuring advanced features to automate updates for this program and also establish a scheduled system scan you may do so by using the advanced mode. Please be careful not to change any settings that can adversely affect your system. The most useful features that can be configured in advanced mode are Automated Updates and Scheduled Scans. You can also set SpyBot to start the system scan automatically every time the operating system starts. To create a scheduled system scan switch to the Advanced mode. Select it from the MODE menu on the tool bar, use SCHEDULER, then ADD to create, and EDIT -> SCHEDULE to configure a new scan, as shown below.

Use the default option to do a daily scan and select the time in the "Start time" window. You can create multiple schedules, for example to scan at a different time on week-ends, by placing a check-mark in the box on the bottom of the applet "Show multiple schedules", then press button New to create another schedule and set the desired time.

You can also take advantage of the option to automatically check for updates on the web and install them for you. To configure this, use the advanced mode and press the SETTINGS button. From the expanded view on the left, select SETTINGS (again). In the right pane scroll down to the section called Web Update, and place check-marks at the three options
"Search the web for new versions at each program start", "Download updated include files if available on line".

One more feature that can help protect your system is IMMUNIZING the system every time the program has been updated. This will automatically add new Active-X control blocks to protect the system from newly discovered potential exploits (of Internet Explorer). Scroll up to "Program Start" section and check the box next to the immunize on Program Start if Program has been updated".