Is Your Computer Infected With Spyware?

What Is Spyware?

     Is your computer acting like it has a mind of its own? You might be infected with Spyware.  When you go online, you may be monitored, tracked, and profiled without your knowledge or permission. Hackers, advertisers, and other reptiles may use Web bugs, spyware, cookies, worms, ads and scripts to gain access to your personal information and invade your privacy. 

     These spyware programs can change your home page or your search page, cause pop up ads, and generally make your online experience a living hell. Some have written me and complained that their computers were suddenly showing disgusting porn on the home page or in pop up windows. If you have ever encountered a never ending porn pop up you know how horrid that can be. The more you close ten more porn windows pop up and the only way to stop them is to shut down the computer. 

     But the good news is that you can get rid of spyware easily if you know how. This article will teach you. 

How Did I Get It?
     Some spyware infections come from your e-mail or by simply browsing the Internet. Sometimes an image in e-mail or on a web page contains a program that downloads a spyware program when the image loads.  (My Norton Internet Security 2005 program blocks all ad images so that I am protected from this type of infection)  Other spyware is installed on your computer when you download music, images, games, and other files. It’s a good idea to download any programs to a special file, (I call that DOWNLOADS) and then scan the file before installing it on your hard drive. A two-minute scan can save you hours of work getting rid of virus and spyware later. 

Yikes!  How Do I get Rid Of It?

Use care when choosing an anti-spyware program. Some just plain do not work and others add more spyware to your computer. For my own computers I use Norton Internet Security 2005.  This program is an all around pop up blocker, spyware remover, anti virus program, firewall etc. and does a great job of protecting my computers. You can get it in stores ($58 at Cosco) or on line ($69) by logging on to Symantec’s site at http://www.symantecstore.com/
 

There are many anti-spyware programs out there on the net.  recommend avoiding cheaper products promoted in ads that appear designed to increase your anxiety level, such as pop-up ads that look similar to Windows dialog boxes. Some pop up ads may suggest to you that it has already scanned your system and found spyware when in reality it has done nothing. Avoid companies that use your own fear and deception to try and sell you their products. 

   Instead try using a combination of FREE spyware removers first. You can download Spybot by logging on to http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download.asp?fid=22262&fileidx=1 
And you can download Ad-Aware SE Personal by logging on to http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download.asp?fid=7423&fileidx=1 
 Using both these Free programs at the same time may solve your problems. You just need to remember to run both of them at least once a week. 

   Sometimes a FREE program will not solve your problems. Other good commercial programs are Norton Internet Security 2005 (69.95), McAfee Internet Security 2005 ($49.95) and PestPatrol for Home Users (just $39.95) 

   You CAN get control of your computer back from the Aliens. Don't let marketing tactics scare you into paying for an anti-spyware product that may not do as good a job of protecting your PC as a free application. It pays to do a little homework before you punch in those credit card numbers.