1. Spybot and SpywareBlaster both install a small amount of protection against reinfection. They're not going to stop everything, but it helps with known spyware. We already put in Spybot's protection. Run SpywareBlaster, update it, and enable all protection.
2. Download and install AVG ( http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ) a free and rather nice little anti-virus program that doesn't weigh down your system like Norton and McAfee do. KEEP IT UPDATED. Without updates, your software is useless.
3. Download and install ZoneAlarm ( http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp ) a free and rather nice little firewall program. You will have to configure it to allow your computer and software to connect to the internet, but it is worth the extra effort.
4. Do your Windows Updates. Yeah yeah, no excuses. They patch bad security holes, and this is Microsoft so there's a lot of those around.
If your new browser software doesn't have it, get a pop-up blocker. If it does have a built-in one, turn that sucker on and leave it on. Pop-ups are not only evil, they often are the way spyware is delivered to your PC. Keep them away.
6. Be careful about installing free software. Weatherbug, Incredimail, Cursor and Smiley programs, filesharing (Kazaa, Limewire, etc) and other programs install spyware on your PC. If you find free software and you're not sure if it's safe, go to www.google.com and enter the name of the program and the word 'spyware'; the results will show if it contains anything malicious. If it does, don't use it and find an alternative.
7. Once a month, update and scan with Ad-aware and Spybot. This will catch any spyware that slips past your defenses. Scan more often if you frequent high-risk areas such as adult websites and filesharing.
Feel free to copy the contents of this entry and pass them around. You do not need to attach any credit.
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Re: This was posted by someone else, but it's locked.
Date: 2006-05-25 01:12 am (UTC)1. Spybot and SpywareBlaster both install a small amount of protection against reinfection. They're not going to stop everything, but it helps with known spyware. We already put in Spybot's protection. Run SpywareBlaster, update it, and enable all protection.
2. Download and install AVG ( http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ) a free and rather nice little anti-virus program that doesn't weigh down your system like Norton and McAfee do. KEEP IT UPDATED. Without updates, your software is useless.
3. Download and install ZoneAlarm ( http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp ) a free and rather nice little firewall program. You will have to configure it to allow your computer and software to connect to the internet, but it is worth the extra effort.
4. Do your Windows Updates. Yeah yeah, no excuses. They patch bad security holes, and this is Microsoft so there's a lot of those around.
5. Switch browsers. IE is a huge gaping hole of security flaws that are exploited by spyware programs. ANY other browser will be far more secure. Check out these very nice free/inexpensive browsers:
Opera: http://www.opera.com/download/
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Netscape: http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp
If your new browser software doesn't have it, get a pop-up blocker. If it does have a built-in one, turn that sucker on and leave it on. Pop-ups are not only evil, they often are the way spyware is delivered to your PC. Keep them away.
6. Be careful about installing free software. Weatherbug, Incredimail, Cursor and Smiley programs, filesharing (Kazaa, Limewire, etc) and other programs install spyware on your PC. If you find free software and you're not sure if it's safe, go to www.google.com and enter the name of the program and the word 'spyware'; the results will show if it contains anything malicious. If it does, don't use it and find an alternative.
7. Once a month, update and scan with Ad-aware and Spybot. This will catch any spyware that slips past your defenses. Scan more often if you frequent high-risk areas such as adult websites and filesharing.
Feel free to copy the contents of this entry and pass them around. You do not need to attach any credit.