Introduction
 Scanning
 Backups

 Table of Contents
 Questions

Introduction

Some (primarily free) software products install "spyware" on your computer. Spyware transmits information about the programs you use, the music you listen to and the websites you visit back to the spyware's manufacturer. Your information is then sold to other companies. Spyware represents the third potential source of privacy violations--websites' and ISPs' watching; someone's using your computer; and spyware are the three major sources. GhostSurf works to prevent all of them.

GhostSurf's Spy Sweep feature will detect spyware that is running on your computer, resident on disk or hidden in your system registry. You can have GhostSurf scan one or more of these locations; view reports on changes GhostSurf made to prevent spyware from running; and revert any of the changes using the backup system.

Scanning

You may select one or more items in the Actions box. If you choose to scan your hard drive, the scanning process may take some time. You may cancel the process at any time by clicking the "Cancel" button, which appears where the "Go" button is shown while your computer is being swept. You will see the status of the sweep appear in the Status box to the right.

The scan will disable any spyware products it encounters. Some products will not run properly when their spyware components are disabled. To undo any of the changes that GhostSurf enacts, use the Backups list described below.

Backups

The backups list displays the date and time of your spy sweep runs, in chronological order. You can double-click a backup entry to display the backup window, which allows you to undo all the changes made to your system during that sweep. The backups are independent; you can restore any of the backups you wish, not necessarily the most recent.