Ten Tips to Avoid Spyware and Adware
 

1 Run an anti-spyware application
Perform on-demand scans to find and destroy spyware that
slips through the cracks. Reboot after spyware removal and rescan your system to make sure nothing is present which is designed to reinstall spyware by way of replacing any deleted applications or files. Do this on a regular basis as well as immediately following the installation of any new software. Even better, install two or more of these programs and run each one since in most cases you will see varying results.

2 Use a Firewall
Keep a software firewall running at all times to keep track of what is entering as well as leaving your computer.

3 Use an Anti-virus Program

Keep an anti-virus program running at all times. Anti-virus is the cornerstone of system protection.

4 Beware of P2P (Peer-to-Peer) File
Sharing Services

Many of the most popular P2P applications include spyware in
their installation procedures. In addition, these applications
may (and often do) contain viruses and/or Trojans. Free music downloading services are an example of P2P File Sharing.

5 Executable Downloads
Never, Never, NEVER! (we mean never!!) download an executable file from anyone except major software vendors or reputable sites, and be certain you know your source if you break this rule.

6 Know What You Are Installing
Do not click "I agree" until you read the entire EULA (End User License Agreement), software license agreement, and/or terms-of-use disclosure that is displayed during installation, and make sure the privacy policy is clearly written and easily understood. In addition, search spyware and privacy sites for information, search spyware lists and databases, and visit forums and newsgroups for advice and opinions on software titles. Even a simple Google search will often yield surprising results.

7 Watch your Cookies
Often times cookies are necessary when accessing many websites however, some cookies are used for the sole purpose of gathering information, tracking your surfing habits, and building a profile about your preferences. Cookies are added by many websites you visit and log on to. They are are not automatically deleted once they are no longer needed. Be sure to go into your web browser tools occasionally and delete cookies.

8 Avoid Temptation
It’s practically impossible to browse the web for very long without coming across either a free custom tool bar, free weather monitor, free web search assistant or other so called free helpful tool. Don’t be taken in and don’t be tempted. Although you don’t have to “pay” for these downloads there are strings attached. Not only do many of these programs have spyware imbedded in them they pose a greater threat to your system performance.

These freebees usually run in the background, hog system resources and can slow your system down dramatically.

9 Avoid Drive-by Downloads
Make sure your browser is set to deny or at the very least
set to prompt you for the installation of any ActiveX Control or Java Applet. These are the methods with which executables (including trojans) can unknowingly enter your computer simply by browsing to a particular site or clicking on a link. ActiveX and Java are useful tools and safe when in the "right" hands, but an untrusted site or malicious individual can abuse these devices to gain access to your computer.

10 Keep Informed
Visit privacy sites, forums, newsgroups and your Anti-virus provider website frequently to stay up-to-date and to learn about new threats and spyware techniques. Be sure to read your AVCI.net enewletter each month and visit our website for back issues where you will a variety of interesting and helpful topics.



Even if you have never heard of spyware, you may know it by one of its many other names: adware, malware, trackware, scumware, thiefware, snoopware, sneakware… the list is nearly endless. And because of its stealth (deliberate and secret) nature, most internet users are very familiar with the symptoms of spyware infection: Sluggish PC performance, increased pop-up ads, unexplained homepage change, mysterious search results, computer lockup or freezing, system crashing.

For virtually everyone surfing the internet, spyware is a nuisance, buy if you do not detect and remove it from your PC it can lead to much more serious consequences such as identity theft. Because of the threats that malware pose a spyware remover installed on your PC is essential.