What do I do if my spyware scanner hangs?

Summary: It's best to update your spyware scanner or even try a new one if the scanner hangs.

I tried to run Spybot, got 3/4 done and then it hung up on file called WhenU.SaveNow. It will not go farther and I cannot get out by closing the window or by task manager. It shows an error and wants to know if I want to send it to microsoft. Anyway, I have to shut the computer off. Sometimes even that doesn't work and I have to unplug it.

Dang, spyware's been getting nasty. Spyware scanners sometimes hang or fail to detect everything. This is just another case. Here are the steps I'd take:

•

I'd start by grabbing a copy of AdAware and try scanning with that as well. Both Spybot and AdAware are good, maybe AdAware can get past that spot and clean it up.
It might even be necessary to run additional spyware scanners.
Update the databases for the spyware tools, as well as the virus scanner I'm sure you're running.
Run a virus scan as well.
And to be safe, I'd run the System File Checker to repair any residual damage.

The bottom line is that spyware is probably the internet's greatest growing threat. Make sure you're doing all you can to protect yourself.

Related:

Ask Leo! - How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?
Ask Leo! - What's the best Pop-Up Blocker? Anti-Virus Software? Anti-Spyware Software?
Ask Leo! - What is the System File Checker, and how do I run it?
Ask Leo! - So just how sneaky can spyware be?
Ask Leo! - Spyware: How do I remove and avoid spyware?

More articles about: Spyware

Article Useful? Link to it from your own website; just copy/paste this HTML:
<a href="http://ask-leo.com/what_do_i_do_if_my_spyware_scanner_hangs.html">Ask Leo: What do I do if my spyware scanner hangs?</a>

Article 477 | Posted November 6, 2004

•

Recent Comments

Try booting in safe mode and running spybot in safe mode .Then Shutdown and reboot normal, then re-running spybot again. Then run ad-aware after that. I had several computers do that and running spyware cleaners in safe mode fixes that problem.

Posted by: SPIDERx at November 10, 2004 09:27 PM

Uninstall when u save now from add remove programmes.(it is a spyware)also remove any files related to whenusave now from C;programme files and then run a scan.

Posted by: Mohamed rafi at July 23, 2006 06:38 PM

Post a comment on "What do I do if my spyware scanner hangs?":

Name: (Required)

Email Address: (Required)

(Email Address will not be published.)

Remember Me? YesNo

By popular demand...
my tip jar

Buy Leo a Latte!

Comments:

New!

Subscribe to the RSS Feed specifically for comments on this article.

Before commenting, please...

Read the article at the top of this page. If your comment shows you didn't, it'll be deleted and ignored.
Comment only on this article. Use the Google search box at the top of the page if you have a question about something else.
Don't include personal information in the comment. No email addresses. No phone numbers. No physical addresses.
Don't ask me to recover lost passwords or hacked accounts. I can't, and those comments will be deleted.

I can't respond to every comment. And I can't vouch for the accuracy of others who do.
Read Why didn't you answer my question? for hints on getting an answer.
By posting a comment you agree to the Terms of Service. Don't agree? Don't post.
Read the article at the top of this page. If your comment shows you didn't, it'll be deleted and ignored. Yes, I'm saying this twice; you'd be amazed.

Please wait. Your comment is being processed ...