Hello and welcome to the Gooyah utilities computer cleanup tips section!
Below are a list of programs that you should run once a week to keep your computer clean and running smooth.
NOTE: Make sure that you check for the most recent updates every time you run each of the programs below.
Terms & Definitions
A. More Info Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial
control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent. While the term spyware
suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple
monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit,
sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as
installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, accessing websites blindly that will cause more
harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Spyware can even change computer settings,
resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs. In an attempt
to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured
under the term privacy-invasive software.
b. More Info Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads
advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as privacy-invasive software. Adware is software with
advertising functions integrated into or bundled with a program. It is usually seen by the developer as a way to
recover development costs, and in some cases it may allow the program to be provided to the user free of charge or
at a reduced price. The advertising income may allow or motivate the developer to continue to develop, maintain and
upgrade the software product.
C. More Info Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
The term is a portmanteau of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer
professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Many normal
computer users are however still unfamiliar with the term, and most never use it. Instead, "computer virus" is
incorrectly used in common parlance and even in the media to describe all kinds of malware, though not all malware
are viruses. Software is considered malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular
features. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, and
other malicious and unwanted software. In law, malware is sometimes known as a computer contaminant.
RAM & Physical Memory Cleaner
1. Download Front-end for Microsoft's command line ClearMem ( Windows XP ) and FreeMem ( Windows Vista ), which force
pages out of physical memory and reduce the size of running processes' working sets, to a minimum. Real-time
free memory indicator included. Real-time current memory details of your system are available anytime.
Instant Memory Cleaner is more effective with Windows XP and with better results. Version 7.12 features:
Windows Vista support and real-time current memory details of your system are available anytime. If you
need to free up system memory or if you think you do, but aren't sure this little tool will provide the help you need.
Anti-Virus & Registry Cleaners
2. Download AVG Free Edition is the well-known antivirus protection tool. AVG Free is available free of charge to home users
for the life of the product. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby
providing the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their
computers. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements).
Highlights include automatic update functionality, the AVG Resident Shield, which provides real-time protection as
files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus
Vault for safe handling of infected files.
3. Download Over time Windows registry gathers a lot of invalid entries that cause system complications and slow down your
computer significantly. Included in Complete Registry Cleaner is a registry defragmenter also called compressor,
which removes the empty spaces after a cleanup and thereby reduces registry size. Registry defragmentation
increases the performance of your computer dramatically. One-click registry back-up, clean-up and defrag.
Spyware, Adware, Malware & Browser Cleaners
4. Download Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your
computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if
you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring
complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related
to adware and to malicious program installations.The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has
the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers,and other uninvited system residents.
5. Download With the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining,
advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware SE easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a
higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web. Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition boasts a number of improvements.
Extended memory scanning now scans all modules loaded by a process.
6. Download CCleaner is a system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows
to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It's fast (normally taking less that a second to run).
It cleans: Internet Explorer (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat);
Firefox (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history); Windows (Recycle Bin, Recent Documents,
Temporary files and Log files); Registry cleaner (Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including
File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application
Paths,Icons, Invalid Shortcuts.
7. Download Scan and safely remove Adware, SpyWare, Key Loggers, Trojans, Dialers, Hijackers, malware, Thiefware,
Big Brotherware. Scans memory, registry, drives for known parasites and scum-ware components and lets you
remove them from your PC. Removes Bundled spyware components from Kazaa, Morpheus, audiogalaxy, grokster,
Limewire, Imesh, Gnutella and more than 1,000 other programs. SpyWare apps, often installed without your
knowledge, send information about your surfing habits to ad companies, which, in turn, send you more pop-up ads.
Firewall
8. Download ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four
interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall
controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The Internet lock
blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can
be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity.
Malicious Software Cleaners
9. Download HijackThis lists the contents of key areas of the Registry and hard drive--areas that are used by both
legitimate programmers and hijackers. The program is continually updated to detect and remove new hijacks.
It does not target specific programs and URLs, only the methods used by hijackers to force you onto their sites. As a result, false positives are imminent, and unless you're sure about what you're doing, you always should
consult with knowledgeable folks before deleting anything.
10. Download Though not a full-blown anti-adware application, this program handles its one job with aplomb. As you might
guess from its name, the main purpose of CWShredder is to purge your PC of the notoriously nasty malware
component known as CoolWebSearch. The minimal interface reflects the app's narrow focus, with only a few
buttons for scanning your machine and repairing problems. Although we can't get too excited about the nearly
nonexistent feature set, we must applaud the performance, as the program found and deleted all remnants of
CoolWebSearch we placed on a test machine, in less than 20 seconds.
Windows Update
11. Download Windows Update - An updating service on Microsoft's Web site that enables users to obtain bug fixes and new
features for their version of Windows. Windows Update components analyze your PC's configuration and display
a list of appropriate downloads for your individual system. There is typically a shortcut to Windows Update on
the Start menu, but the site may be accessed directly at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.