Avoiding Spyware And Malware Attacks
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.
This type of software is often installed without a user’s consent and often can’t be uninstalled without special tools. When distributors use tricks and deception to install uninvited software, trust is destroyed.
Your first line of defense is common sense. Be careful when you install new software. Only install software from trusted websites, and always read the license agreement. Some companies disclose that they install extra things with their software, but most people don’t read the license and never know it.
Before downloading any new software, look for guarantees that it’s spyware free. Even so, be on your guard - the file-sharing program Kazaa has been claiming to be spyware-free for years. Anyone who installs this software soon has an opportunity to test this claim.
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 your system does get hit with a spyware attack, all is not lost. There are several software utilities made for getting rid of it. These programs have a database of known spyware that gets updated on a regular basis as new ones are found. They’ll scan your computer to see if anything from this database is installed on it.
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 types of spyware are exceptionally hard to get rid of. They can make changes to settings on your computer that help to “protect” the spyware from being removed. In some cases, you need to manually delete the files to get rid of them for sure.
This is obviously not something you should undertake unless you’re quite familiar with Windows and working with system files. You wouldn’t want to delete something that renders Windows inoperable.
Once your system is spyware free - help keep it that way. Some of the spyware removal tools include utilities that can protect your computer from being exposed to spyware. Much like virus scanners, they monitor changes to your system files and alert you of any suspicious activity.
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.
Written by Robert Billings on October 26th, 2008 with
no comments.
Read more articles on Adware.
- [+] Digg: Feature this article
- [+] Del.icio.us: Bookmark this article
- [+] Furl: Bookmark this article