There has been a spate of fake security applications that have inundated many internet users, with false claims of having viruses on their systems. One of the best known is a spyware program known as security tool. As with many of these styles of malware programs, they infect the host computer and consistently pop up warnings regarding potential viruses and spyware, with the sole aim of getting the user to click onto their website to purchase the software. The nuisance value alone has caused many to input their credit card details, only to find out that it is of no value. There is however a simple method for eradicating this style of spyware, which involves no purchase and is free to all. The method involves a two-step method, which involves locating the executable file, and then running a free antivirus software, which then eradicates the program.

The method requires disabling the spyware program, to ensure it doesn’t infest and cause issues with the antivirus program. This is done by first locating the spywares executable file, which can be located by variety of means. With some styles of spyware programs, a shortcut is located on the desktop, all that is required is to right click the shortcut and display properties, which will give the specific location of the actual executable file. If there is no shortcut shown on the desktop for the spyware or malware program, another option is to run a search, by the respective file name. In most cases, the program will run within temporary folders, which can make somewhat difficult to locate the file, however by utilising the methods above, the file should be easily found.

Once the executable file is located, all that is required is to rename the file by adding an additional letter or number to the end of the file, which then means the file, is no longer able to be accessed by the program itself. The process then involves restarting the computer, and then running the antivirus software, which will pick up the spyware/malware program and delete it.

One consideration is to ensure that the antivirus software being utilised, is the latest addition, with up-to-date virus details. For those who have no antivirus or out of date antivirus on their systems, AVG free is an excellent alternative, that provides up-to-date antivirus software free of charge, with the alternative of utilising one of their other software options which are chargeable.