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Windows System Restore is a utility
included with Windows XP and Windows Me. If you ever
encounter a catastrophic failure, you can use this tool
to bring your system back to the way it was before the
problem started. This same tool can be used to rid your
system of spyware. In a nutshell, Windows takes a
“snapshot” of your system configuration at certain
times. These snapshots are called “restore points.”
When a problem occurs, you can then return your computer
to one of these previous configurations without losing
any of the data that you’ve worked on.
Windows System Restore can be a
useful tool to combat spyware. If you have a new
computer or have rid your current one of all spyware,
you can delete all previous restore points and rest easy
knowing that you have a clean system to fall back on in
case of future infection. Should spyware again infest
your computer, it is a simple task to use System Restore
to revert to a spyware-free system configuration.
This can be a very useful feature,
but it requires careful vigilance on your part since you
must always be aware of exactly what software is
installed on your system. This sounds easy, but in fact
demands careful attention to everything you do on your
computer, no matter how inconvenient at the time.
The key to using Windows System
Restore to get rid of spyware is having a reliable,
clean restore point. If malicious software has crept
onto your machine without your knowledge, it is included
in the restore point snapshot. In this case, if you use
System Restore to return to a previous system
configuration, the utility could easily restore the
spyware along with all of your other settings.
If you are sure that you have a clean
system and are willing to put forth the effort to
monitor your computer, you can use the following
procedure to create a new system restore point.
Remember, before you do this, make absolutely certain
that your computer is free from spyware.
If you are using Windows XP:
1. Click the “Start” button. The
Start Menu appears.
2. Right-click “My Computer.” A
popup menu appears.
3. Click the “Properties” menu
item. The “System Properties” window appears.
4. Click the “System Restore” tab
at the top of the window. The System Restore settings
appear.
5. Check the “Turn off System
Restore on all drives” check box.
6. Click the “OK” button at the
bottom of the window.
7. Windows asks if you are sure
that you want to turn off System Restore. Click the
“Yes” button. The “System Properties” window closes and
your settings are saved.
If you are using Windows Me
1. Right-click the “My Computer”
icon on the desktop. A popup menu appears.
2. Click the “Properties” menu
item. The “System Properties” window appears.
3. Click the “Performance” tab.
The performance settings appear.
4. Click “File System.”
5. Click the “Troubleshooting”
tab.
6. Check the “Disable System
Restore” check box.
7. Click the “OK” button to save
your changes and close the “File System” window.
8. Click the “OK” button on the
“System Properties” window.
9. Windows asks you if you want to
restart your computer. Click the “Yes” button. Your
computer shuts down, and when it starts back, System
Restore is turned off.
When System
Restore is turned off, all of the previous restore
points are erased. This means that there is no risk of
restoring your computer to a state that includes
spyware. Now is a good time to double-check to ensure
that there is no spyware on your computer. When you are
confident that there is no spyware on your computer, do
the following:
If you are
using Windows XP:
1. Repeat Steps 1 – 4 of the
Windows XP instructions above.
2. Uncheck the “Turn off System
Restore on all drives” check box.
3. Click the “OK” button at the
bottom of the window. The “System Properties” window
closes and System Restore is turned back on.
If you are using Windows Me:
1. Repeat Steps 1-5 of the Windows
Me instructions above.
2. Uncheck the “Disable System
Restore” check box.
3. Repeat Steps 7 - 9 of the
Windows Me instructions above. System Restore is now
running again.
Stopping and restarting Windows
System Restore with a clean computer erased all of the
previous restore points and started a new one. If your
computer becomes contaminated with spyware from this
point on, it is a simple matter to return to the last,
known-good restore point to undo the installation of the
spyware.
If you are using Windows XP:
1. Click the “Start” button. The
Start Menu appears.
2. Click “Help and Support.” The
“Help and Support Center” window appears.
3. On the right side of the window
is the “Pick a Task” heading. Under this heading, click
“Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.”
The System Restore Wizard starts.
4. Follow the prompts to pick a
restore point and restore your system.
If you are using Windows Me:
1. Click the “Start” button. The
Start Menu appears.
2. Point to “Programs.” A list of
folders and programs appears.
3. Point to “Accessories.” Another
list of folders and programs appears.
4. Point to “System Tools.” Once
again, a list of programs appears.
5. Click “System Restore.” The
“System Restore” wizard appears.
6. Follow the instructions in the
wizard to pick a restore point and restore your system.
Although you must be very careful in
keeping track of what’s happening with your system at
all times, System Restore can be an effective tool
against spyware.
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