This article is going to be a detailed piece completely dedicated to keeping
your computer spyware free. I will be going over how to get
it out, how to keep it out, and free resources to use. Before you start
learning how to stay away from, let's learn how to GET IT OUT!
Getting the
Spyware Out!
Getting rid of spyware can be really easy, or it can be very difficult. In my situation it is very easy for me to get rid of spyware. In most cases it isn't so easy. It is easy for me to get rid of it because I don't have any. Anyways... What you first have to do is find software to clean up your computer. Here are two fantastic programs that have always worked for me.
AVG
Install them and run them both one at a time. Usually for me, if one doesn't get them out... the other will. However, if you run both and they were not able to get out all of the spyware...You will have to do something called reformatting. Reformatting your computer is basically starting all over. If there are things on your computer that you MUST save. Save them on to a disc before reformatting. Also, before you reformat, make sure you have a windows disc and the cd key that goes with it. The best thing about reformatting is that your computer will be brand new again.
Keeping the
Spyware Out!
So... let's see where we are. We have either ran the programs and got everything out. Or we have reformatted and have a brand new computer. So all the spyware is out. There are several ways to keeping it out.
1. DO NOT look at porn. Don't download it. Don't go to those websites that are full of junk. Just don't do it. If you HAVE to make sure it is a safe website, if that is even possible.
2. Avoid file sharing. Most file sharing programs are free. Ever thought why they are free? Because along with the content you are downloading for free you are getting data miners. Things those companies use to get information about people using the internet. Such as keywords...stuff like that. Anyways avoid them.
3. When you download things like AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. Be sure that when you are installing them you read before you hit next. DO NOT install their tool bars. The most annoying thing when I go to a friends house, is when I open up their Web Browser, Internet explorer or FireFox, and there are like 5 different toolbars. That is full of junk. The safest and most reliable search engine is google.
4. Don't click on popup ads. The new tactic that spyware vendors are using is that Anti Spyware ads. In their ads they say click for a free scan. What you are actually getting is a computer load of spyware.
5. Use a reliable Web Browser and keep it up to date. Honestly, stop being arrogant and just download firefox. It is the best and most reliable web browser out there. It is so easy to use and it's just the best thing ever invented. Download Mozilla FireFox with Google Toolbar.
6. Download and install Zoned Out. Zoned Out loads a whole directory of websites that are known for spyware to your Internet Explorer's Restricted Website Section. Download Zoned Out for Free.
7. Avoid Questionable websites. Any website with free ware, free this, free that. It is free for a reason. So they can load a bunch of spyware to your system. Avoid these sites. They could give you spyware without you even knowing it. Only visit websites that are trustworthy.
8. Never give out personal information to an unreputable website. That is a definite NO NO!
9. Use a good firewall. There are 2 free firewalls that I know of that work wonders.
Download Zonealarm Firewall.
Download Outpost.
10. Use your AVG and Spybot Search and Destroy regularly. I would check for problems every 2 or 3 days.
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