Spy Sweeper Ver 5.2 handout

SPY SWEEPER VER 5.2 USERS GUIDE
SPY SWEEPER
BY WEBROOT SOFTWARE
1
SPY SWEEPER OFFERS FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL PROTECTION FOR YOUR
DATA AND PRIVACY
Spy Sweeper Effectively Removes Spyware/Adware/Malware: Spy Sweeper user initiated comprehensive
sweep eliminate vicious spyware, like CoolWebSearch (CWS), About.Blank, and Internet Optimizer currently
some of the nastiest pieces of spyware to get rid of. Spy Sweeper’s thorough sweeps are faster than previous
versions. Deleting spyware will improve your system performance, sometimes dramatically. Spy Sweeper
roots out even the most devious spyware programs using a constantly updated database of thousands of known
threats. If any files match the threat definitions database, Spy Sweeper immediately disables them. Disabled
programs stop functioning for immediate protection and are quarantined. Spy Sweeper’s safe quarantine
feature gives you the option to review and permanently delete suspect files or safely restore them if they are
essential. You can schedule regular scans or perform one manually to find and remove spyware/adware and
malware from your PC.
Spy Sweeper Protects You From Future Spyware Attacks: Secondly, Spy Sweeper actively defends
against spyware/adware and malware installations as they happen. It will stop unwanted changes to your
browser settings. Spy Sweeper’s sophisticated and updateable spyware/adware and malware database protects
against the latest threats. Spy Sweeper keeps your personal information away from prying eyes. Spy
Sweeper’s smarter shields block browser hijacks before they happen. Spyware/adware and malware programs
morph frequently, and your safety from these and other unwanted programs is entirely dependent on having
the latest update to the Spy Sweeper definitions database. Webroot, Spy Sweepers developers, offer free
software updates to the application, regularly provided essential information about the latest online threats and
insights into managing spyware/adware and malware. Look for user tips in Spy News, a news brief within the
application and a feature I personally like FREE 1-800 phone support.
Spy Sweeper Is Award-Winning: Spy Sweeper has won rave reviews for its easy-to-use interface, effective
spyware removal, top-notch customer support and up-to-date database of spyware threats. It is PC Magazines
Editors Choice for Spy Ware removal products.
Spy Sweeper Version 5.2.3. Includes an Anti-Virus product written by Sorophs. This option is turned off
unless the purchaser pays an additional $10.00 to turn it on. However, those of you who have NOD 32 on your
computers please do not remove NOD32 for this one, as it is cheaper. It is cheaper because it is VERY
inferior in performance compared to NOD32. It only rates in the 50% effective range compared to NOD32’s
100%. Additionally do not run it or any other Anti-Virus product with another Anti-Virus product on the same
computer-You will crash your computer.
2
1. PRIOR TO SPY SWEEPER INSTALLATION:
1. Save and close all documents and close all running applications before installation
2. Make sure there are at least 30MB of free disk space on the disk where you plan to install Spy Sweeper
3. If any other Anti spy ware program is running on the computer, uninstall it prior to Spy Sweeper
installation to prevent serious conflicts
2. SPY SWEEPER INSTALLATION:
1. If you are installing from a CD-ROM the installation program should start the installation process
automatically. If it does not then at Run on the Start button type in D:\INSTALL.EXE (where D: is the
drive letter of your CD-ROM drive)
2. When the Spy Sweeper Installation splash is displayed Select/Click Spy Sweeper (Full) button
3. The Spy Sweeper Installation Wizard is displayed (See Figure 2-1)
Figure 2-1
4. Select/Click NEXT button
5. The Spy Sweeper Key Code dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-2)
3
Figure 2-2
6. Enter in the Spy Sweeper unlock code from your software package (It is comprised of five-5 letter
combinations)
7. Select/Click NEXT button
8. A Check For Updates dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-3)
Figure 2-3
9. Select/Click Check for Updates button
10. The Program Updates dialog box is displayed, the Spy Sweeper web site is contacted and the latest
updates (if any) are downloaded. If you are a dialup customer, your dial up connection box should
appear and you should then go through your normal connection sequence to download the updates
(See Figure 2-4)
4
Figure 2-4
11. The Spy Sweeper Software Agreement dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-5)
Figure 2-5
12. Select/Click on I Accept the Agreement, and then the NEXT button
13. The Spy Sweeper Installation Type dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-6)
5
Figure 2-6
14. Select Typical and then the NEXT button
15. The Spy Sweeper Ready to Install dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-7)
Figure 2-7
16. The Spy Sweeper Ready to Install dialog box shows what is being installed and where it is being
installed.
17. Select Install button
18. The Spy Sweeper Installation dialog box displays a progress bar as the software is being installed
(See Figure 2-8)
6
Figure 2-8
19. The Spy Sweeper Finished Installation dialog box is displayed (See Figure 2-9)
Figure 2-9
20. Select/Click Finish button to finish installation process
3. KEEPING SPY SWEEPER DEFINITIONS UPDATED:
Just as with Anti-Virus definitions needing to be kept up-to-date so does the spy ware definitions for Spy
Sweeper. As I have said previously, you are not fully protected unless you are up-to-date. There is no cost
involved as you paid for a one-year subscription at the time of purchase. So every time you log on to the
Internet, Spy Sweeper will check for new definitions automatically. No user action is required. However, if you
want to check for yourself, follow these directions.
1. Log on to the Internet
2. Select/Click on the Spy Sweeper icon on your desktop (See Figure 3-1)
7
Figure 3-1
3. The Spy Sweeper Home panel is displayed (See Figure 3-2)
Figure 3-2
4. Select/Click on Check for Updates located in the lower left area of the Spy Sweeper Home page
5. The Options Update page is displayed, the Spy Sweeper web site is contacted and any definition
updates are downloaded (See Figure 3-3)
8
Figure 3-3
6. To check for newer versions of the Spy Sweeper program Select/Click on the Update Spy Sweeper
button
7. Operation is complete
4. MANUAL SWEEPS FOR SPY WARE USING SPY SWEEPER:
You can manually sweep for spyware anytime; it is an especially good idea if you have just updated your spy
ware definitions. The sweep process will work in the background so you can use your other programs while the
sweep is being performed. Here is the process for manually sweeping for spyware:
1. Select/Click on the Spy Sweeper icon on your desktop (See Figure 4-1)
Figure 4-1
2. The Spy Sweeper Home panel is displayed (See Figure 4-2)
9
Figure 4-2
3. Select/Click on Start Sweep button on the upper part of the Spy Sweeper Home page
4. The Sweep page is displayed (See Figure 4-3)
Figure 4-3
5. Spy Sweeper will begin it’s sweep – Note the numbers appearing in the Traces Found box and the
name of the spy ware found in the center window of the Sweep page (See Figure 4-4)
10
Figure 4-4
NOTE:
If your sweep detects one of the following:
about. blank, cool web search, best web search,
internet optimizer, or clearsearch
Repeat this procedure. If they are still detected repeat this
procedure three (3) times back-to-back deleting all found
traces from Quarantine between each sweep. Then do the same thing
in Safe Mode (See Note at end of procedure). If they are still detected, call
Computer Guy at 208-772-2295 or 208-660-1617
6. When the sweeps are complete, the Sweep Quarantine page is displayed. Select/Click the boxes next to
all found threats and then Select/Click on the Delete Selected Items button (See Figure 4-5)
11
Figure 4-5
7. Spy Sweeper begins removing all the traces of spy ware found and checked then moves them to
quarantine.
8. The Sweep Summary page is displayed showing the threats detected, their risk value and their
disposition. (See Figure 4-6)
Figure 4-6
9. Review the found cookies on the Summary Page and then Select/Click on the Back to Home button
10. Operation is complete
12
11. Some files in use by the operating system cannot be opened to scan for one reason or another under
Protected Mode (normal mode). To get the absolutely best scan possible, do a scan(s) in your operating
systems Safe Mode (See following Note), as far fewer files are in use in this mode.
NOTE:
To reach Safe Mode you will need to restart your computer, and just after it reboots and the
screen is black, start pressing the F8 key repeatedly. A black and white screen will be displayed
with several choices (operating system dependant) use the arrow keys on your keyboard to
move the highlight and select Safe Mode and press Enter. Another screen may appear asking to
select the appropriate operating system for your computer, use the arrow keys on your keyboard
to move the highlight to the correct option and select press Enter. Depending upon your
operating system many things may appear on your screen – be patient. Eventually a dialog box
will appear and state that you are about to enter Safe Mode, which is a diagnostic mode,
Select/Click on Yes button. Your desktop will be displayed and all of your icons will be much
bigger and the screen resolution will look much coarser. Double-click on the Spy Sweeper icon
on your desktop, and when the dialog box opens and asks if you want to run in the diagnostic
mode –answer YES. Proceed and run the scan as you normally would.
5. SPY SWEEPER AUTOMATIC SWEEP SCHEDULING:
You can program Spy Sweeper to automatically sweep your system unattended. The sweeps can be scheduled to
run while you sleep. The computer need to be running – but NOT connected to the Internet. Here is the process
for updating the definitions:
1. Select/Click on the Spy Sweeper icon on your desktop (See Figure 5-1)
Figure 5-1
2. The Spy Sweeper Home page is displayed (See Figure 5-2)
13
Figure 5-2
3. Select/Click on Options from the left hand margin of the Spy Sweeper Home page
4. The Options Sweep page is displayed (See Figure 5-3)
Figure 5-3
5. Select/Check the Full Sweep if not already checked.
6. Select/Click on Schedule tab on the Options page
7. The Schedule page is displayed (See Figure 5-4)
14
Figure 5-4
8. Select/Click the Add a Scheduled Sweep button
9. The Sweep Schedule Wizard Dialog box is displayed (See Figure 5-5)
Figure 5-5
10. Select/Click on either Full Sweep (recommended) or Custom Sweep (See Figure 5-5)
11. Select/Click the Next button
12. If you selected Full Sweep, the second page of the Sweep Schedule Wizard allows you to select the
frequency and time of your sweep. You can use your computer while the sweep is running. However,
your computer will run much slower than normal during the sweep. You may want to schedule the
sweep when you will not be using the computer, such as in the middle of the night. (See Figure 5-6)
15
Figure 5-6
13. If you selected Custom Sweep, the next page displayed allows you to select the drives to be swept (See
Figure 5-7)
Figure 5-7
14. After selecting the drives to be swept, Select/Click the Next button
15. The next page allows you to select the items to be swept (See Figure 5-8)
16
Figure 5-8
16. When finished, Select/Click the Next button
17. This page allows you to select the frequency and time of your sweep. You can use your computer while
the sweep is running. However, your computer will run much slower than normal during the sweep.
You may want to schedule the sweep when you will not be using the computer, such as in the middle of
the night. (See Figure 5-9)
Figure 5-9
18. Select/Click the Finish button
19. The Schedule panel with the newly entered schedule is displayed –scheduled times are displayed in the
upper part of the panel (See Figure 5-10)
17
Figure 5-10
20. Select/Click on Home from the left hand margin of the Spy Sweeper Main panel
21. Select/Click on X at upper right corner of Spy Sweeper Main panel to minimize
22. Operation is complete
23. When the sweep is complete and if threats have been found, then you must proceed to remove them as
in the Manual Sweep section
6. SPYSWEEPER SHIELDS PAGE SETTINGS:
Spysweeper operation and configuration is mostly automatic for most users. The Shields page allows the user to
customize Spysweeper settings as far as what to block and what to keep. Some options will be shown in the
following steps.
1. From the Spysweeper Main Panel Select/Click the Shields button
2. The Shields Summary page is displayed (See Figure 6-1)
18
Figure 6-1
3. This page shows all the shields that have been put in place to protect your computer from spyware
attack. All shields should have a blue shield symbol in front of their name. If they have a grayed out
shield they are not protecting you. Most shields are by default blue. You only have to turn on the
tracking cookies shield to set all 13 to protected mode
4. On the Shields Summary page Select/Click the Web Browser tab
5. The Web Browser Shields page is displayed (See Figure 6-2)
Figure 6-2
19
6. In most cases your Web Browser Shields page should be configured as in Figure 6-32 with the
exception of the home page. To make your home page the default home page in the Web Browser
Shields page, Select/Click on Edit IE Hijack Shields Settings and the IE Hijack Shields Settings
dialog box is displayed. (See Figure 6-3)
Figure 6-3
7. Replace the information in the home page dialog box, with your own home page and search
information, then Select/Click the OK button
8. In most cases the Windows System, Host Files, and Startup Programs tabs and options should be left
alone and the defaults used
9. Operation is complete
7. ALERTS:
Alert pages are Spy Sweepers way of informing you that a possible threat has been discovered and needs your
input as to its disposition. This happens most frequently when a new startup item is discovered or your Internet
Explorer Home Page or Search Bar has been changed.
A new startup item was discovered or your Internet Explorer Home Page or Search Bar has been changed an
Alert is generated
1. Read the information in the Alert page carefully and check the box next to the item (s)
2. After determining the disposition of the item, Select/Click on the Keep or Remove button
8. REPORTING NEW SPYWARE:
In those rare instances where Spysweeper cannot clean your computer of a spyware infection, here is the
procedure to follows:
1. Call Computer Guy at 208-772-2295 or 208-660-1617
2. If I’m not available you can send in a spyware report to Webroot (Spysweepers Manufacturer) using the
Report Spyware dialog box available on the Options/Update page (See Figure 8-1)
20
Figure 8-1
3. Select/Click on the Report Spyware button and a Report Spyware dialog box is displayed (See Figure
8-2)
Figure 8-2
4. Simply fill in your e-mail address and any comments about how you swept your computer both in
normal and safe mode and what if any actions you computer was exhibiting prior to you sweeping it for
spyware.
5. Select/Click on the Send Report button
6. A log of Spysweepers actions to remove the spyware will be sent to Webroot's technical support
department where it will be analyzed and a fix will be created.
7. This action is very important to Webroot. Because if you have a problem removing this particular
spyware so will many others that are infected with it. And they could be or will be customers of
Webroot.
8. You can call Webroot technical support at (1-800- 772-9383)
21