Documentation
Spybot Use
Documentation table of contents.
Using Spybot
- The first time you open Spybot, the following window will appear. This alert is to notify you that if you remove advertisement robots using Spybot, there is a chance that legitimate programs in which these spyware programs reside may not function properly. If you are concerned about this issue, do not use Spybot to remove advertisement robots. Select Don't show this message again, then click OK.
- You may also receive the following alert the first time you start Spybot if you also have Lavasoft Ad-Aware installed. This alert instructs you to disregard anything that Ad-Aware labels as spyware that is located within a Spybot directory. Ensure that Do not display compatibility warnings again is selected, then click OK.
- You will be given the option of creating a backup of your system's registry. To do so, click Create registry backup. Please wait while the process takes place. When it finishes, click Next.
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You will be prompted to search for program updates. To do so, click Search for updates. If updates are available, you will be able to select Download all available updates. Click it to download and install Spybot updates. Please wait while this process completes, then click Next.
Note
After updating Spybot, you may see the same alerts that appeared when you first ran the program concerning Ad-Aware compatibility and advertisement robots. Follow the same steps as outlined above to close these alerts.
- Click the Immunize this system button when it appears. Please wait for the message Immunization has finished to appear at the bottom of the window, then click Next to continue.
- If you would like to learn how to use Spybot more efficiently, click Read tutorial or Read help file. To begin using the program, click Start using the program.
- Once your software successfully updates, Spybot's main interface screen will appear. To begin a spyware search, click Check for problems.
- Please wait while Spybot scans your system.
- When the scan is complete, any potentially malicious software displays in the box at the bottom of the window. Click Fix selected problems to remove this spyware. Proceed to the next step. If the screen below appears, your computer is clean of problems. You may exit Spybot at this time.
- Spybot will create a system restore point, then confirm that you wish to remove all of the selected spyware. Click Yes to continue.
- When you are prompted with a message similar to the one below, the scan is complete and spyware is removed from your computer. Click OK to return to the Spybot interface.
