How to Remove Monitoring Software on Your Computer

By Ruri Ranbe

i Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Monitoring software not only invades your privacy, but it also can put you at risk as well. While some tracking software monitors only your computer and internet activity, other more malicious software—known as "keyloggers"—track your keyboard use. If you use your computer to access your bank account, school or other personal accounts, your user name and passwords can be transmitted to a third party. This information then can be used against you by the recipient.

If you suspect you have tracking software installed on your computer, it's important that you remove such programs from your system as soon as possible.

Step 1

Click "Start" then "Control Panel." If you have Windows XP, double-click "Add/Remove Programs." If you have Windows Vista, double-click "Programs and Features."

Step 2

Scroll through the list of programs, searching for any unknown software. If the program appears suspicious, enter the full name in a search engine for confirmation. If the program turns out to be monitoring software, right-click the program, then click "Uninstall" or "Remove."

Step 3

Download, install and run a third-party software like Perfect Uninstaller to remove stubborn programs that cannot be removed using Windows' program manager. Run the program in Window's Safe Mode and uninstall the monitoring software.

Step 4

Download an anti-malware or anti-virus program like Ad-Aware, Spybot-S&D, McAfee VirusScan or Norton AntiVirus. Run and install the program.

Step 5

Use the anti-malware or anti-virus program's update utility or download the most recent definitions from the program's website to update the malware definitions. This is important because if the definitions are not up-to-date, the program may not be able to pick up on certain malicious software. Use the anti-malware program to scan your computer for monitoring software.

References

Writer Bio