Patent ID: 7441273

Claim:
A method for scanning for spyware utilizing a virus scanner, comprising: scanning at least one computer for viruses utilizing, a virus scanner; and scanning the at least one computer for spyware utilizing the virus scanner; wherein the at least one computer is scanned for the spyware by scanning a registry associated with the at least one computer; wherein the registry associated with the at least one computer is conditionally scanned based on user input; wherein the virus scanner includes a graphical user interface; wherein the graphical user interface includes a field for receiving the user input; wherein the field of the graphical user interface includes a list of items associated with the at least one computer; wherein the items are listed in a first list, the first list including items associated with the at least one computer which are being scanned; wherein a second list is displayed upon a selection of an icon; wherein the items of the second list include items associated with the at least one computer which are capable of being scanned upon the selection thereof; wherein the items of the second list are moved to the first list upon a selection thereof.