How do I … remove spyware and malware?

Spyware is software that can collect information about a user and send that profile (or logons and passwords) to someone else.

Malware is computer software, usually unknowingly installed, that can do harm to system files or compromise security safeguards.

There’s a simple approach to removal if your computer gets infected with run-of-the-mill nasty stuff. If it’s infected with more noxious programs, you’ll need to hunt down more heavy-duty solutions.

But the main goal is to use two or three of the main free downloadable programs that knock down spyware.

The key ones are Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Windows users are also free to test and try the company’s Malicious Software Removal Tool.

There are no Mac versions of Ad-Aware and Spybot, in part because Mac is less susceptible to those attacks, at least for now.

One easy way to get all three tools is via Download.com, a site managed by CNET.com.

But what if spyware has hijacked your browser and downloading those utilities becomes difficult?

In that case go to a clean machine and download the programs, burn them to a CD and then install them on the problem PC. Or load them on a USB device.

If you can load the programs onto the troubled PC, prepare to boot your PC into safe mode (assuming you’re running Windows). In this case, disconnect the machine from your Internet connection, then start the boot process, hitting the F8 key before you get to the blue Windows log-on screen.

Once in safe mode, you can navigate across your desktop to start the removal applications you earlier downloaded and installed.

Run each one by itself, not simultaneously. If you have to use just two, make it Ad-Aware and Spybot.

You can tell if your browser’s been hijacked if it behaves oddly, or pops up messages that shouldn’t be there. In that case, one useful tool that can remedy the problem – and identify other malicious programs that load on boot up – is HijackThis. You can also get HijackThis at Download.com.