The Internet has made many things easier and is a fabulous source of information. But, like anything else, bad guys abound there. These people want to watch what you do when online and can even log every key stroke you make on your keyboard. They use this information to sell your information to advertisers OR market their own products to you based on your search activities.
This is possible through the use of spyware. Spyware can be added to your machine without your knowledge. The best thing you can do is know how to avoid it altogether. Here are some tips on how to do exactly that.
1. Do not visit adult sites. These are the absolute worst places to visit online. Spyware abounds on these sites and can result in the loss of your computer.
2. Install a firewall and keep it running ALL THE TIME. Firewall software allows you to control all traffic in and out. Protects your machine from most threats on the Internet. If a piece of software DOES get through, it cannot be installed as the firewall will stop the installation process.
3. Install all Microsoft updates as they become available. Every system has “holes’ that hackers can exploit. The updates that MS sends periodically closes those up and protects your computer.
4. Go get yourself some anti-spyware software. There are many available as freeware or shareware, downloads or CD installation. This software continuously updates it’s database and knows what to look for. When a malicious piece of “junk” is detected, it is promptly eradicated.
5. Email is probably the second worst source of malicious spyware. Never open messages from strangers or addresses you are not familiar with. Attachments, especially, should NEVER be opened unless you know the sender.
6. If you download software for any reason, be sure you know and trust the source.
7. Avoid file sharing programs altogether. These programs became popular prior to the crackdown on illegal music downloads. Once you put the program on your computer, it opens a “back door” to your hard drive that hackers will have a field day with. All your information is accessible to whoever wants it.
8. Never, EVER under any circumstances, should you click on a pop up advertisement. These are those advertisements that just pop up when you visit certain sites. You have no idea where they come from, so don’t trust them.
Avoiding malicious spyware and adware is as easy as being informed and “surfing smart”. As consumers, we have to keep ourselves one step ahead of the hackers, virus writers, adware/spyware distributors and such. Using the Internet safely is really just a matter of being careful and not doing certain things.
Once a piece of malicious spyware makes it’s way into your machine, it can be awfully hard to get rid of. In extreme cases, a complete reformat of the hard drive may be needed, possibly a restart of the OS (operating system). Sometimes, a spyware infestation can crash the entire computer.
Some spyware removal software is available that keeps your machine clean is available as well, but the best thing is to just avoid the problem before it IS a problem.
