Following these tips can go a long way toward helping you steer clear of the nuisances and dangers of adware and spyware:
- Stay away from dangerous neighborhoods - You can avoid some of the most dangerous spyware by not downloading software from warez sites. People who distribute pirated software also often distribute spyware and Trojans.
- Just say no - If a box pops up on your screen and asks you to click yes, or OK, only do so if you are actually trying to install software. Some Web sites try to trick you into installing adware or spyware.
- Ask for some ID - You can use a small program called Spychecker to find out if the software you are about to download contains spyware. You can find a download link on the Free Computer Security page.
- Use protection - Run anti-virus software and keep it updated. A good anti-virus program will stop the most malicious spyware and Trojans. You can find some good free anti-virus software on the Free Computer Security page.
- Lock the door - A good personal firewall not only protects you from hackers, it will keep programs from contacting the Internet without your permission. Adware and spyware can not function without sending information from your computer to the Internet. You can also find some great free personal firewalls on the Free Computer Security page.
- Get a checkup - There a several programs which can scan your computer for adware and spyware and remove it for you. The one program I highly recommend is called Ad-aware. No matter how careful you are, chances are very good that some spyware and adware will slip through your defenses. Ad-aware is an easy, quick and free way to get rid of them. You can find a link to download Ad-aware on the Free Computer Security page.