Most decent Anti Spyware solutions will do just fine when it comes to removing spyware. Most spyware infections could have been avoided in the first place though, so let me present you 3 general tips to prevent yourself from becoming a spyware victim.
Besides the regular viruses, spyware has become an important, but often underestimated internet threat. Although a decent Anti Spyware solution will do a good job when it comes to spyware removal, most infections could have been avoided in the first place. Let me present you 3 general tips to prevent yourself from becoming a spyware victim.
#1 Be aware of free downloads.
Binding spyware with free software is a popular strategy used by spyware distributors. Toolbars and online buddies are often used as a fancy way to convince people from installing their software, which often comes with bunch of hidden spyware attached. Thumb rule: never install something unless you absolutely need it and it comes from a trusted site and source. A lot of these spyware programs are offered to you by using flashy and often annoying pop-ups, so enabling or installing a pop-up killer is often vital when trying to avoid online infections.
#2 Avoid file-sharing-networks.
Especially when it comes it downloading software. A lot of files being shared on these (illigal) networks contain malware like spyware and sometimes even viruses. Heck, even most of the clients needed to download files from these networks contain a bunch spyware themselves. Try to avoid sharing-networks in the first place. Especially watch out for ‘non-media’ files as they pose the greatest risk. If you’re downloading music: only open real mp3 or wma files and simply ignore and delete the other files that may have been downloaded. Make sure your virus scanner, anti spyware removal and firewall are all updated and running in the background to intercept possible infected downloads.
#3 Keep all your software updated.
No software is perfect, and bugs are discovered every day. It usually takes only a few hours to a few days before virus and spyware makers have found a way to abuse these bugs in order to spread their malware. Which makes it obviously very imporant to keep your computer as much as updated as possible. Windows and most protection software comes with completely automated updates, which will be automatically installed when you’re connected to the internet. Letting the updates download in the background might cost a little bit of extra internet bandwidth, but it’s often not worth the risk to ignore the updates.
Even trusted parties sometimes bundle their software with hidden spyware. There often isn’t much you can do to avoid these spyware installations as they come totally unexpected. Which makes it wise to install a decent and up-to-date anti spyware program and to run a full system scan on a regular basis.
By: Abby Randal
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Visit my Anti Spyware site for advised anti spyware software, tips to prevent you from getting infected, and more spyware removal related tips!
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
My Spyware Story
Have you ever been the victim of spyware? Is your computer behaving strangely lately? Do you know that most computers connected to the internet are infected by spyware, adware, malware and trojans. Have a look at 'My Spyware Story'. Read what happened to me, how I fixed my spyware problem and what I recommend that you do.
Did you know that up to 90% of computers connected to the internet are infected by spyware, adware, malware, trojans etc.
Think about it. Someone could be spying on your every movement, recording your credit card transactions or going through all the files on your computer. While it is true that most spyware only seeks to monitor your internet activity with a view to targeting you with pop-ups and advertisements, the real risk is someone taking control of your computer, downloading your files then committing bank account or credit card fraud or worst case scenario, stealing your identity.
Some of the symptoms of spyware on you computer are:
Slow performance – your system loads and operates more slowly than usual.
Your homepage, browser or security settings have suddenly changed.
Increased number of pop-ups or unsolicited advertisements.
Your system crashes.
While I let that sink in, let me tell you my story, how my computer became infected and what I did to remedy the situation.
I always thought that I was well protected from intrusions - running active anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software on my computer. Nothing however was further from the truth. The other day without warning my whole system crashed!My screen went blue, I kept getting a flashing message telling me that my computer had been infected and prompting me to go to a download site to obtain the latest anti-spyware solution. Naturally I didn't do that. The first thing that I did was pull the plug on my internet connection, then run my anti-spyware software.
What happened next was really surprising. My software detected some 75 different spyware items but it could not delete them. This happened in spite of me running a full spyware scan of my computer the day before.
What to do? I rang my local technician who had built my system:
"Restart your system in safe mode and run your anti-spyware software again".
Still no good.
"What are you using", I told him the name of a free anti-spyware program that I had downloaded from the internet, "Well that's your problem, you need to be using much better software" - what do you recommend, I asked, CounterSpy he replied, "it's very powerful and it's what I would use to clean up your system if you bring it in".
You get what you pay for - or in my case what I didn't pay for. I now know the downside of running free software, it just does not work as well. The other risk in using free software is that some unscrupulous operators have actually conned people into believing that they are downloading legitimate software when in fact what they are really getting is more spyware. Don't make the same mistake that I did, thinking that the free software that you download from the internet will protect you, it won't. Sooner or later you will suffer, or maybe your system is already infected but you just don't know it.
So if you have a spyware problem, or more to the point, if you never want to have a spyware problem, spend a little money and get the best anti-spyware software, it is very inexpensive insurance. I recommend you do it right away.
By: Gio Castro
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For more information and details of what I think is the best anti-spyware software available, please visit: spyware.cybersprout.com
Did you know that up to 90% of computers connected to the internet are infected by spyware, adware, malware, trojans etc.
Think about it. Someone could be spying on your every movement, recording your credit card transactions or going through all the files on your computer. While it is true that most spyware only seeks to monitor your internet activity with a view to targeting you with pop-ups and advertisements, the real risk is someone taking control of your computer, downloading your files then committing bank account or credit card fraud or worst case scenario, stealing your identity.
Some of the symptoms of spyware on you computer are:
Slow performance – your system loads and operates more slowly than usual.
Your homepage, browser or security settings have suddenly changed.
Increased number of pop-ups or unsolicited advertisements.
Your system crashes.
While I let that sink in, let me tell you my story, how my computer became infected and what I did to remedy the situation.
I always thought that I was well protected from intrusions - running active anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall software on my computer. Nothing however was further from the truth. The other day without warning my whole system crashed!My screen went blue, I kept getting a flashing message telling me that my computer had been infected and prompting me to go to a download site to obtain the latest anti-spyware solution. Naturally I didn't do that. The first thing that I did was pull the plug on my internet connection, then run my anti-spyware software.
What happened next was really surprising. My software detected some 75 different spyware items but it could not delete them. This happened in spite of me running a full spyware scan of my computer the day before.
What to do? I rang my local technician who had built my system:
"Restart your system in safe mode and run your anti-spyware software again".
Still no good.
"What are you using", I told him the name of a free anti-spyware program that I had downloaded from the internet, "Well that's your problem, you need to be using much better software" - what do you recommend, I asked, CounterSpy he replied, "it's very powerful and it's what I would use to clean up your system if you bring it in".
You get what you pay for - or in my case what I didn't pay for. I now know the downside of running free software, it just does not work as well. The other risk in using free software is that some unscrupulous operators have actually conned people into believing that they are downloading legitimate software when in fact what they are really getting is more spyware. Don't make the same mistake that I did, thinking that the free software that you download from the internet will protect you, it won't. Sooner or later you will suffer, or maybe your system is already infected but you just don't know it.
So if you have a spyware problem, or more to the point, if you never want to have a spyware problem, spend a little money and get the best anti-spyware software, it is very inexpensive insurance. I recommend you do it right away.
By: Gio Castro
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
For more information and details of what I think is the best anti-spyware software available, please visit: spyware.cybersprout.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
