What do I do if my spyware scanner hangs?

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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:

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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?

Article C2216 - November 6, 2004

Recent Comments

2 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 9:27 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 6:38 PM

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