There are several basic concepts to keep in mind when deciding to stay spyware free for good. This article will outline a spyware checklist for you to keep in mind when getting tough on spyware and taking back control of your computer using two popular free applications, Ad-Aware,and Spybot - S&D. Using these two programs in conjunction will eliminate a vast majority of spyware problems from your computer. For the purposes of this article, "spyware" refers also to adware, malware, and other not-so-nice "features" of today's computing reality.
These are some tell-tale warning signs that your computer may be suffering from spyware-
· You receive many pop-ups
· Your computer is running slowly
· You may have invasive toolbars hijacking your browser
· Your home page may have been hijacked
Your first step to escaping spyware's wrath is to download and run Ad-Aware and Spybot - S&D, the two leading spyware fighting tools out there, boasting millions of downloads each. Please remember it's always safest to backup your system before installing a new program or executing one. After downloading the two programs, be sure to run the update feature to be sure they are current when it comes to detecting the latest threats. Remove the detected spyware using these two programs, then move to step two.
The second step in staying spyware free involves you to be proactive. At this point your computer should be free from spyware. What you want to do now is keep it this way, to do that there are helpful tips to guide you. In Windows 98 you can use msconfig to view the startup programs on your computer. This is helpful because you can control what programs automatically load when you boot your computer. To access this invaluable tool, go to START >> RUN, type MSCONFIG. If you check the startup programs occasionally you may see a new spyware entry that will alert you it's time to clean out the spyware again.
The third step involves your web browsing habits. It means you must never click on an activex screen that asks you if you want to allow an innocuous looking toolbar, or "surfing aid"be installed. By clicking "allow" you are effectively giving these perfidious spyware authors free reign over your system and personal information. If possible you should surf with the security settings on "maximum" for safest surfing.
In summary, it's important to avoid spyware for your computer and personal identity health. To do so, use free tools available to you and be mindful of your computer settings and surf the Internet responsibly. Following these easy steps will ensure a safe and spyware free existence for you and your computer!
Written by Erich Bihlman, of Bihlman Consulting - PC and Internet Tutoring and Website Design in Prescott, Arizona. Bihlman.com. For additional helpful articles visit IQZone
Spyware/adware is a new major concern for PC users everywhere.... Read More
You and I are a lot alike. We are both... Read More
When it comes to reporting Internet scams most of us... Read More
While clicking from site to site on the internet you... Read More
Protect Your PCHaving problems with your pc? Do your kids,... Read More
Spyware, viruses and worms... oh my!If you are connected to... Read More
Every single time you access a website, you leave tracks.... Read More
1)Spyware is on your system. Like it or not, statistically... Read More
This is the second in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
History and BackgroundThe virus was one of the first ever... Read More
Viruses are, however, not the only malicious software programs out... Read More
The E-Mail Identity Theft Scam is running Rampant. These E-Mail... Read More
There are ways to insure security though. You can get... Read More
Your computer is as slow as molasses. Your mouse freezes... Read More
The Message Must Get Through The year is 300A.D.,... Read More
Having a good Spyware eliminator on your computer is vital... Read More
Remember the television show about the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz... Read More
As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More
Fishing on the Internet has come a long way. However,... Read More
Every now and then you can read about a new... Read More
A friend called me one day and asked if I... Read More
Glieder (Win32.Glieder.AK), Fantibag (Win32.Fantibag.A) and Mitglieder (Win32.Mitglieder.CT) are not names... Read More
Computer viruses infect millions of computers every day. Viruses can... Read More
Identity theft ? also known as ID theft, identity fraud... Read More
Phishing is a relatively new form of online fraud that... Read More
If you use emails actively in your communication, you must... Read More
I am in the midst of Oscar Wilde's The Picture... Read More
Before we start, I want to make it clear that... Read More
Chris Simpson, head of Scotland Yard's computer crime unit was... Read More
Is your enterprise following the rules?The bulk of financial information... Read More
Long gone are the days that we could feel secure... Read More
The words Corporate Security may conjure up images of a... Read More
Have you seen the web site, www.freestuff.com? Or have you... Read More
Phishing: (fish'ing) (n.)This is when someone sends you an email... Read More
The Loss Prevention Manager should be receptive to the needs... Read More
Computer security for most can be described in 2 words,... Read More
File sharing on p2p is soaring despite the music and... Read More
Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You... Read More
At this point, if you've got the whole "turning the... Read More
Sooner or later everyone with an email account will receive... Read More
I am in the midst of Oscar Wilde's The Picture... Read More
It's late. You've been scouring the web for that perfect... Read More
Today,on most internet user's computers, we have the ability to... Read More
One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support... Read More
If you constantly deal with bank or electronic accounts, it... Read More
Every single time you access a website, you leave tracks.... Read More
Over the past few years as the internet has become... Read More
Having a good Spyware eliminator on your computer is vital... Read More
The Internet is a vast International Network of people and... Read More
Over £5 billion pounds was spent on online shopping in... Read More
With the Internet entering our lives in such an explosive... Read More
The money being spent online is steadily growing. With billions... Read More
It has been said that with the wealth of information,... Read More
First off I should explain what phishing is. Phishing is... Read More
Identity Theft and Your Personal Information Identity theft is... Read More
No, this article isn't about some new, lose-20-pounds-in-a-week, certified-by-some-tan-Southern-California-doctor diet.... Read More
Adware. Spyware. Pesky pop up ads. Internet congestion. Computer malfunctions... Read More
If you run any type of Internet business, Adware and... Read More
Did you know...? 1 in 5 children who use computer... Read More
If you know what is the 'Fishing' then it's very... Read More
Since its birth, the Internet has grown and expanded to... Read More
Remember the television show about the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz... Read More
"Dear Bank of the West customer", the message begins. I've... Read More
If you are a parent, as am I, I think... Read More
Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company,... Read More
You'd better learn news from media, not from emails, security... Read More
Internet Security |