Avoiding Spyware And Malware Attacks
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by: PaulWilcox
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Word Count: 494
Spyware can be more than an annoyance. Poorly programmed spyware can interfere with other programs and can even cause system instability. Privacy issues are at stake as well.
Spyware is often installed without your knowledge or consent and in many cases can't be removed from your computer without specialized software tools. When the people that distribute it need to resort to tricking you into installing it, there's obviously very little there to warrant your trust.
The best defense against spyware is common sense. Always be watchful when you download software from the internet. Don't install software from unknown websites that you don't know if you can trust and be sure you always read through the license agreement. Sometimes the license will disclose that spyware is installed along with the program (although usually not in so many words) but they're counting on the fact that hardly anyone ever reads the license anyway.
Check for "spyware free" guarantees on software you download. Obviously, anyone can say something is spyware free even when it isn't, but if a website has gone to the trouble to say so, it is more likely to be safe than if they hadn't.
How can you tell if you have spyware on your system? You may see pop-up advertisements even when you aren't browsing the web. Your homepage may have been changed without your consent. New toolbars are installed on your web browser which you didn't request. Your computer may be sluggish or mysteriously reboot on its own. Though, the last effect is usually a virus.
If you find your system bogged down with spyware, don't give up hope. There are several utilities specifically designed for removing spyware from your computer. They rely on frequently updated databases which contain signature files of all known spyware and adware. They scan all the files on your hard drive and alert you if 'uninvited guests' are found.
Some of these scanning programs are available for free, while others will cost you money. The ones you pay for generally have extra features, such as the ability to schedule automatic scans. They're never completely foolproof however, so it's always a good idea to run two or more of them.
Some spyware is notoriously difficult to remove. They may make several alterations to your system settings and install files in different places. Often the only way to remove this type of spyware is to find the locations of all the files and manually delete them.
Needless to say, this should be performed only by skilled users. Deleting the wrong files can damage your programs and even your operating system.
Once you've got rid of any spyware on your computer, you can help keep it clean by running a scan on a regular basis. Whether this is scheduled, or you do it manually is up to you.
Of course, you need to always be wary of anything you download. You never know when there is going to be a significant cost to that free software that looks so cool.
About the Author
How can you protect your computer from viruses, spyware, identity theft and other internet security attacks? It doesn't take a technical genius to be safe. Learn the insider secrets that will keep you protected at http://www.onlinesecuritytoolkit.com
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