About the AOL®
SpyZapper™ Program
FAQs
AOL SpyZapper uses a scanning mechanism named OptScan.exe. The AOL SpyZapper program checks your computer for specific files used by certain spyware programs and other programs that can interfere with your online experience. If it finds those files, it lets you know and lets you decide whether to block those programs from running on your computer. AOL SpyZapper only checks for programs on your computer that interfere with your connection to the AOL® service. AOL SpyZapper does not send any personal information about your computer or the programs on it to AOL.
SpyZapper™ Scans For Only Specific Spyware
Programs
Turn Off SpyZapper™ Pop-up
Notification
Block Programs SpyZapper Finds
Unblock Programs SpyZapper Has Blocked
Turn Off the SpyZapper™ Feature
When I run other spyware protection applications, they find lots of spyware, even though SpyZapper scan results were negative. Why doesn't SpyZapper find all of the things these other applications can find?
SpyZapper is a very specific safety and protection tool addressing only the major spyware and programs that can cause connection problems, performance issues, and security risks or that otherwise interfere with your AOL® experience.
Accordingly, while it may disable a certain number of such programs, AOL recommends that you use the AOL® Spyware Protection tool or similar programs to achieve more comprehensive spyware protection for your computer and block some of these very same programs as well as many others.
If you do not wish to receive the pop-up notification that SpyZapper is running, you can turn it off.
To turn off the SpyZapper pop-up notification:
1. Go to AOL® Keyword: SpyZapper. You can access this keyword only through the AOL® software.
2. In the Settings window, on the
Preferences tab, click the Each time I sign on, tell me you are checking my
computer box to clear it.
3. Click the Save button.
AOL SpyZapper is a feature on the AOL service that automatically checks your computer for several common spyware and other programs that can cause connection problems, performance issues, and security risks or otherwise interfere with your AOL experience.
To block programs SpyZapper finds:
1. After scanning, AOL SpyZapper lists the name of the program(s)
it found, if any, followed by a short description.
2. Each program is automatically selected to be blocked from
operating on your computer.
3. Click the Block Selected button.
Note: If you do not want to block a program, click the box to clear it before clicking the Block Selected button.
If a program that you use on your computer accidentally becomes blocked by SpyZapper, you can unblock it.
To unblock a program blocked by SpyZapper:
1. Go to AOL Keyword: SpyZapper. You can access this keyword only through the AOL® software.
2. Click the Programs tab.
3. Click the box next to the program you wish to unblock to put a
check mark in it, then click the Save
button.
If you don't want AOL SpyZapper to check for spyware and other programs that can interfere with your online experience, you can easily turn it off.
To turn off the SpyZapper feature:Turning off AOL SpyZapper does not turn off AOL Spyware Protection from conducting regular scans. AOL SpyZapper uses a scanning mechanism named OptScan.exe. You may notice OptScan.exe running briefly in Windows® task manager.
Note: We do not recommend turning off SpyZapper as it provides important added protection for your computer.