is it possible to manually tell if a computer has a spyware?

[secret friend]

is it possible?

I press ALT + CTL + DEL and everything seems to be in order. I also check msconfig and there isn't any weird stuff there.

Is that sufficient to know if a spyware program is running in the background?

 

[Ikerous]

No

 

[Parlez]

Download free spyware removal and then you will know for sure. I hope this will further assist you in your problem.

 

[Asus]

The only way to do things manually is if the infection (spyware or virus) leaves a file or registry trace and you know exactly what spyware/virus you are looking for because of the symptoms. Then you could look it up how to manually remove it.

Nothing practical though.

 

[Reaktor4]

rootkitrevealer and hijackthis should help.

 

[sniper wolf]

i find adaware to be the best free spyware remover
i also use spybot search & destroy in case adaware misses anything

and if you're getting really bad spyware problems it can help to boot up in safe mode and run adaware and whatever antivirus program you have

 

[Barney Fife]

Most Spyware/Malware/Adware/Viruses are clever enough to spoof their registry name to something that looks legit. So, No! you can't manually remove it (BTW, Which I think is the hard and the long way to do it) You must use and detect them with anti-software.

Good Luck.

 

[giant384]

i find adaware to be the best free spyware remover
i also use spybot search & destroy in case adaware misses anything

and if you're getting really bad spyware problems it can help to boot up in safe mode and run adaware and whatever antivirus program you have

yes ad aware is one of the best for spyware i prefer a3 for malware

 

[Barney Fife]

I Love Spybot S&D. Try it here --->http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1

Good Luck.