How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware - Part 2
* How Did I Get Infected with Spyware and Adware?
There are two main ways in which a malware infection can occur:
1. You may have been lured into installing the program by clicking on a link, button or icon that automatically downloads a file onto your hard drive. While surfing you may see a dialogue box that pops up onto your screen, partially obscuring the page you are viewing.
Of course you click ‘cancel’ to close it - and inadvertently play host to an infection. There are a myriad of other ways in which you may be tricked into downloading infections from windows like these.
2. Freeware programs may be very dangerous and may be loaded with adware and spyware programs. File sharing programs are a major source of infected files.
Once an infection has taken hold you are at risk for advertising and the transmission of your personal data all day, every day until it is removed. The worst form of infection is called a
browser hijack
where your search or home page is replaced and diverted elsewhere and your settings are disabled so you can’t change it back.
* How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware
If you don’t use any safety measures to deal with this menace, you will remain vulnerable to infection. Older anti-virus programs won’t offer any protection but newer ones like the latest McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus 2004, and Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2004 versions do scan for several adware and spyware programs.
In January America Online (AOL) launched AOL 9.0 Optimized - featuring adware and spyware protection mechanisms. EarthLink protects against adware and spyware in its latest version.
There are, fortunately, several other measures you can take to prevent infection:
1) Be ultra-careful when installing programs onto your computer. For the best protection you should avoid installing freeware programs unless they are from a trusted source. Make sure to read the license agreement that should accompany the product. Do a search of the publisher’s site and check Google Groups for any evidence of spyware or adware that may be bundled with the product.
2) Download and install a good
pop-up blocker
to block advertising windows as many of these infections are installed via links that appear in these windows. If such windows do appear never click on any related links.
I use Google Toolbar and MSN toolbar with good results. If you are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 - it includes a pop-up blocker for your Internet Explorer browser.
3) If you do click a link and a box labeled ‘security warning’ appears - alerting you to the presence of a potentially problematic program - never click on the ‘YES’ button and install malicious software by mistake.
