Spyware Removal

HijackThis is a free spyware detection tool from Trend Micro. It was orgiginally developed by Merijn Bellekom, a student in The Netherlands. Spyware removal software such as SpywareTerminator and Spybot: Search and Destroy detect most spyware. However, there are some spyware that are too stubborn and manual removal is the only way to go.

HijackThis has been developed specifically to detect browser hijacks, or software that takes over your web browser, alters your default home page and search engine and other malicious things. HijackThis is a spyware-remover and does not use signatures or target any specific programs or URL’s to detect and block. Rather, HijackThis looks for the tricks and methods used by spyware to infect your system and redirect your browser.

HijackThis generates a log which provides information on the condition of your computer. Analysis of this log requires experience and knowledge. However it is not so difficult and can be deciphered with a little online help.

There are also certain websites that provide online analysis for free. All you have to do is to copy and paste your log and you will get an ideas about the spyware that has infected your computer.

Here are some HijackThis Analyzers:

# PrevX.com
# HijackThis.de
# SpyandSeek.com