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
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Visit my Anti Spyware site for advised anti spyware software, tips to prevent you from getting infected, and more spyware removal related tips!
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