WinSpy is a RAT – “remote administration tool” – that may monitor your Internet activity, your files, your network traffic, and every keystroke you make. When an attacker has access to your computer’s hard drive, they may install WinSpy so that it will run every time you startup your computer. Through WinSpy, the attacker is able to follow all of your computer activities through a web interface. WinSpy may install itself onto your computer without your knowledge or consent.

Do You Have WinSpy?

When you’re infected with badware — whether it’s WinSpy, spyware, adware, a Trojan, or a virus — there are a few key symptoms. Have you noticed…

• Slow computer performance: It just takes one parasite like WinSpy to slow your computer dramatically. If your PC takes longer than usual to reboot, or if your Internet connection is unusually slow, you may be infected with WinSpy.
• New desktop shortcuts or switched homepage: Badware like WinSpy may change your Internet settings to redirect your homepage to another site. Badware can even add desktop shortcuts to your PC.
• Annoying popups: Badware can bombard your computer with popup ads, even when you’re not online. Through these popups, you may be tricked into downloading more spyware.

How to Remove WinSpy Manually

Before we get started, you should backup your system and your registry, so it’ll be easy to restore your computer if anything goes wrong.

To remove WinSpy manually, you need to delete WinSpy files. Not sure how to delete WinSpy files? Click here, and I’ll show you. Otherwise, go ahead and…

Remove WinSpy processes:

Delete WinSpy files:

Stop WinSpy DLLs:

Note: In any WinSpy files I mention above, “%UserProfile%” is a variable referring to your current user’s profile folder. If you’re using Windows NT/2000/XP, by default this is “C:\Documents and Settings\[CURRENT USER]” (e.g., “C:\Documents and Settings\JoeSmith”). If you have any questions about manual WinSpy removal, go ahead and leave a comment.

How Do You Remove WinSpy Files?

Need help figuring out how to delete WinSpy files? While there’s some risk involved, and you should only manually remove WinSpy files if you’re comfortable editing your system, you’ll find it’s fairly easy to delete WinSpy files in Windows.

How to delete WinSpy files in Windows XP and Vista:

1. Click your Windows Start menu, and then click “Search.”
2. A speech bubble will pop up asking you, “What do you want to search for?” Click “All files and folders.”
3. Type a WinSpy file in the search box, and select “Local Hard Drives.”
4. Click “Search.” Once the file is found, delete it.

How to stop WinSpy processes:

1. Click the Start menu, select Run.
2. Type taskmgr.exe into the the Run command box, and click “OK.” You can also launch the Task Manager by pressing keys CTRL + Shift + ESC.
3. Click Processes tab, and find WinSpy processes.
4. Once you’ve found the WinSpy processes, right-click them and select “End Process” to kill WinSpy.

How to remove WinSpy registry keys:

Because your registry is such a key piece of your Windows system, you should always backup your registry before you edit it. Editing your registry can be intimidating if you’re not a computer expert, and when you change or a delete a critical registry key or value, there’s a chance you may need to reinstall your entire system. Make sure your backup your registry before editing it.

1. Select your Windows menu “Start,” and click “Run.” An “Open” field will appear. Type “regedit” and click “OK” to open up your Registry Editor.
2. Registry Editor will open as a window with two panes. The left side Registry Editor’s window lets you select various registry keys, and the right side displays the registry values of the registry key you select.
3. To find a registry key, such as any WinSpy registry keys, select “Edit,” then select “Find,” and in the search bar type any of WinSpy’s registry keys.
4. As soon as WinSpy registry key appears, you can delete the WinSpy registry key by right-clicking it and selecting “Modify,” then clicking “Delete.”

How to delete WinSpy DLL files:

1. First locate WinSpy DLL files you want to delete. Open your Windows Start menu, then click “Run.” Type “cmd” in Run, and click “OK.”
2. To change your current directory, type “cd” in the command box, press your “Space” key, and enter the full directory where the WinSpy DLL file is located. If you’re not sure if the WinSpy DLL file is located in a particular directory, enter “dir” in the command box to display a directory’s contents. To go one directory back, enter “cd ..” in the command box and press “Enter.”
3. When you’ve located the WinSpy DLL file you want to remove, type “regsvr32 /u SampleDLLName.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 /u jl27script.dll”) and press your “Enter” key.

That’s it. If you want to restore any WinSpy DLL file you removed, type “regsvr32 DLLJustDeleted.dll” (e.g., “regsvr32 jl27script.dll”) into your command box, and press your “Enter” key.

Did WinSpy change your homepage?

1. Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options.
2. Under Home Page, select the General > Use Default.
3. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”).
4. Select Apply > OK.
5. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.

WinSpy Removal Tip

Is your computer acting funny after deleting any WinSpy files? I recommend using a program like File Recover from PC Tools. File Recover saves deleted files that otherwise can’t be recovered by Windows operating sytem.

Want to save time finding WinSpy files? Download Spyware Doctor, let it find the WinSpy files for you, and then manually delete WinSpy files.

How Did You Get WinSpy?

Wondering how WinSpy ended up on your PC? If you’re infected with WinSpy or other badware, perhaps you were using…

• Freeware or shareware: Did you download and install shareware or freeware? These low-cost or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like WinSpy. Sometimes adware is attached to the free software to “pay” developers for the cost of creating the software, and more often spyware is secretly attached to free software to harm your computer and steal your personal and financial information.
• Peer-to-peer software: Do you use a peer-to-peer (P2P) program or other application with a shared network? When you use these applications, you put your system at risk for unknowingly downloading an infected file, including applications like WinSpy.
• Questionable websites: Did you visit a website that’s of questionable nature? When you visit malicious sites that are fishy and phishy, badware may be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer, sometimes including applications like WinSpy. I recommend you use Firefox web browser, if you don’t already.

Understanding WinSpy

If you’re infected with WinSpy, you should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some definitions related to WinSpy.

WinSpy May Be a Trojan

Trojans install themselves secretly onto your computer, most often through your downloading a simple email attachment (often Trojans pose as harmless pictures). Most Trojans are able to gain complete control over your PC after installation. With this control, the Trojan and the hacker behind it may change your system settings, delete important files, steal your passwords, and watch your computer acitivity.

Infection Methods of WinSpy and Other Trojans

Most Trojans infect your computer by tricking you into launching an infected file. This poisoned file could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.

• Email: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.
• Websites: Your PC may be infected with a Trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many Trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.
• Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions – such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more – you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.