Spyware Protection - Free Scans, Are They Worth The Effort?
You're proud of yourself. You installed the latest and greatest antivirus software when you bought your last computer, and you've kept it current with the latest virus definitions. You have your operating system set to auto-update and install all the new security patches. You're careful about what you download and have your anti-virus program set to scan files before they're actually saved to your hard drive.
But suddenly your computer seems sluggish. It's slow to boot, and takes a long time to open or save files. You notice the home page in your browser has changed, but you don't remember changing it. You think you spot a new icon in the system tray, but can't remember if it was there or not. You suspect a virus, but run a scan of your entire system and it shows as clean.
What could be the problem?
Spyware!
Spyware can be installed on your computer without your knowledge, and can result in a number of computer performance issues. Spyware is designed to monitor or control your computer use. It can be used to monitor your web surfing, redirect your browser to particular websites, send pop-up ads, or record your keystrokes, which can ultimately lead to identity theft.
The key to protecting yourself from spyware is to learn how to recognize it, avoid it, and remove it from your computer. All computer users should take the time to implement prevention measures against spyware infection, educate themselves to recognize indicators that their system has been infected, and learn what actions are necessary to eradicate spyware from an infected machine.
Indicators of a spyware infection include:
- An unusually high number of pop-ups
- Your browser goes to sites different than where you tell it to go
- A new toolbar appears on your browser
- New icons appear on your desktop or on the system tray
- Keys suddenly don't work
- The appearance of seemingly random error messages
- Computer boots slower than usual
- Computer seems slow when saving files or starting programs
Fortunately there are steps you can take to drastically reduce your risk of a spyware infection. Those steps include:
Keep your operating system and web browser current. Spyware can exploit security holes in these programs. Software companies issue free "patches" to plug those holes as they're discovered. If there is an auto-update feature for your operating system and browser, make sure you have activated that feature to automatically check for and install those updates. It is also a good idea to check for updates manually, even when you have your system set to auto update.
Use both anti-spyware and anti-virus software, set up a firewall, and keep them current. Most anti-virus software doesn't detect spyware, and if it does it generally doesn't do nearly as good of a job as a standalone anti-spyware program. Make sure you have both types of programs installed on your computer, and that the programs check for and install updates daily.
Be cautious of free downloads. It's fun to download free games, screen savers, file-sharing applications, and toolbars. But it's also important to understand that some of these free software programs may also infect your system with spyware. If children share your computer, make sure you instruct them not to download programs without your permission.
Know exactly what you're installing before you install it. End-user license agreements (EULA) contain important information about programs and what they do. Be sure and read the EULA before installing any software, and if a particular program doesn't have a EULA, or it is hard to find, carefully consider whether you are comfortable risking infection of your system.
Minimize unapproved downloads. If the security settings on your browser are low, you leave yourself succeptible to receiving downloads that you aren't aware of. Ensure your browser security settings are high enough to detect these. Internet Explorer should be set to the "Medium" setting at a minimum.
Don't click on pop-up links. Click the red "X" icon to close pop-ups. Clicking anything within the pop-up window (such as a cancel button) might install spyware on your computer.
Install a firewall. A firewall will block outside access to your system and will alert you in the event spyware already installed on your computer is sending information to unauthorized users.
Back up your data. You have important information stored on your computer. Make a back up copy of everything you would like to have in the event your computer crashes. Do this often.
If you suspect your computer might be infected with spyware, immediately cease any activity that involves credit cards, bank accounts, user names, passwords, or other information that may compromise you personally. Check to ensure your security software is active with the most current updates, and scan your entire system for both spyware and viruses. Remove or quarantine anything detected as malicious.
Eradicate spyware from your computer. Author, John Rogers recommends you implement a spyware protection free scan of your computer at http://www.spywareprotectionfree.com
Related Articles:
Online Infidelity and the Dangers of Key Loggers
From the looks of some online articles you would think that the only solution to uncovering an online affair is key logger software Unfortunately this is not the case and a key logger program could actually do more harm than good in a Internet investigation into adultery
How Can I Read My Boyfriend's Text Messages
Would you like to know the answer to, how can I read my boyfriend's text messages Do you want to know who your boyfriend is always texting and why he is so preoccupied with his cell phone
Most Dangerous Types of Spyware are on the Rise: How to Choose the Weapon
Bad News - the Threat is Bigger than it SeemedHow recently it was – when even many journalists thought that spyware gathers mostly information to be used for targeted advertising. Definitions like "spyware, a.
Separate Anti-Keylogging Protection: Who Needs it Most?
If there still are few unprotected computers left, I haven't seen any.
Every emerging threat causes means of defense to appear.
Free Spyware Remover Download!
Whether it's for rendering, encoding, streaming or editing - your personal computer must be maintained well for it to function properly and to effectively ease up your work One way of maintaining your unit is not only keeping its physical component in top shape, but also to have the right programs installed in your windows that would help repair damaged files and protect the integrity of your system
Latest Anti-Malware Software
Malware (short for malicious software) is any program or file that is harmful to a computer user, designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system. Thus, malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and also spyware, programming that gathers information about a computer user without permission.
Spyware - How to Protect Your Computer from it
Spyware was in headlines for the first time in 1999 when a freeware game called - Elf Bowling? circulated with spying software along with it. Since then spywares are creating a havoc in the computer world. Some of the downloadable software comes with a licensing agreement that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software. But most of us do not go through the agreement properly. Spyware exists as independent executable programs. These malicious software have the ability to monitor keystrokes, change the default home page on the Web browser, read cookies, scan files on the hard drive, install other spyware programs and even spy other applications, such as chat programs or word processors. The spywares continuously rel ...
