Spyware Fix in Three Easy and Effective Steps

Spyware fix is not really a choice for us, but rather a requirement due to the number of cyber thieves injecting infectious files onto our computers.

Some of the spyware is used to track our online behaviors and others are intended to be destructive and annoying. No matter what the intention, our only hope of keeping up with the threats is to consistently complete a spyware fix process on a continual basis. From surfing to free downloads, it does not take long before our computer performance is decreased and we are getting redirected to websites we did not request.

If you have slow computer problems, consistent pop-ups with ads, or crashing or freezing computer issues, you are in need of a solid spyware fix.

The steps below will guide you forward to get spyware removed and will help you get your computer operating at peak capacity again.

Step One: List any symptoms or problems you have observed on your computer

Some of the signs of the presence of spyware, adware, and malware include files opening randomly, annoying toolbars and pop-ups are loaded without your request, keyloggers tracking your personal details through your keystrokes (identity theft), your computer has browser hijackers and you are redirected to sites you did not want, your PC is no stable leading to crashes and freezes, or your system settings are being changed without your request.

The list above will get your started. Make sure to list when and how the problems occur (if you know). The purpose of this step is to give us a foundational list to compare to after the spyware fix is complete.

Step Two: Locate a Quality Spyware Fix Product and Do a Free Scan

The top spyware and adware software products will detect and remove spyware, adware, malware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, Trojans, worms, and pop-up generators. The key is locating one with these features, and most quality programs offer a free scan so you can check for errors without having to pay (until the repair phase).

Once errors are found, a scan display screen will come up that will show the threat name, severity level, a basic description of the threat, and will have a link to more information about the threat. You can choose which to keep and which to rid of. Be careful to save the files that have a familiar name (related to files you use often).

It is good decision to get your mindset off free software. Most free software programs get your permission to inject additional spyware and adware by your consent through the EULA (End User License Agreement). Many people do not take time to read EULA provisions and end up agreeing to have adware installed on their PC that can monitor their web behaviors. In other words, free is not always free.

Step Three: Invest in the Repair Function of the Same Software

To conduct the spyware fix, the only remaining main step is to run the repair function of the software that just did the scan. This is an easy process but does require payment. The payment will get you a one year license so you will have ongoing protection. The repair portion of the process is extremely fast since all of the hard work has already been done.

You can decide from the scan results whether or not you want to make the purchase, but as mentioned, ongoing protection is a must on computers as part of your annual operating plan. There are simply too many threats added daily to avoid ongoing spyware fix steps.

After completing the repair on your computer, ensure that you have your settings in the software set up to scan at regular intervals at times that work for you. In addition, be sure to limit your exposure to websites that may inject more spyware and adware into your system. Especially avoid free downloads that could compromise your system.

To complete the entire process, reboot your PC for the changes to be applied. After the repair and restart of your computer, compare your results to the list you originally created.

If there are still symptoms, try another scan and repair round or get a quality registry repair software as another level of protection for your system as the Windows registry is like the brain center of your computer for files and user preferences and can become bloated and causes problems with performance. Spyware fix software and registry software together will create a great level of protection and is well worth the investment.

About the Author:

Daryl Moore reviews spyware and adware software for effectiveness and consumer value. See www.solutions-to-remove-spyware.com or for details on his top pick, see www.xoftspyse-facts.com

How to Acquire the Top Anti-spyware Software

Antispyware comparison becomes very important to find out which would be the best antispyware for you. When you have some of the antispyware with some similar and few different features, you compare among them. Then you must research to find out which one would work for you better and matches your needs and would hopefully satisfy you completely. This is a very difficult task and here you have to look for the reputable company also while comparing the features.

There are some online companies that will offer you quite a low price and then after downloading you will feel that most of the features promised are not working effectively. So while comparing the antispyware available, you have to look for a lot of points including the feature of how much coverage does it actually provides.

If you ask how an anti-spyware enters your computer when you do not install it, the answer is simple. It is not software which seeks permission to install itself on your computer system and it can come through with any download you do from the internet. The next question brewing in your mind would be how does spyware impact your computer? Well, there are many things spyware can do, to name a few, it slows down your system and keeps track of the sites or the kind of information your searching for and then send the information to companies having vested interests, or it can keep giving you popups when you are working on your computer, online or offline.

A good anti-spyware can be downloaded from any good and well-known website. There are a few websites that even offer anti-spyware for free, and some which offer it at a price. To decide which anti-spyware is good for you, there are a few things to look for such as features offered and of course, most important part, the price.

A good anti-spyware would clean up and protect your computer from all kinds of spyware on the net and also send you reports of the scan. It is not a one time affair, but needs to be performed by the anti-spyware on regular intervals to keep your computer system safe and performing at the desired speed

They are thousands of spyware on the internet, so it is advisable to have the best anti-spyware for your computer system to keep your information safe from all the harmful infections that are looking to affect your computer. For me, true value for money is not the amount spent but the returns I get off it and if you think the same way, then I am sure you would not mind spending that little extra to safe guard your computer system.

Antispyware comparison is therefore the most essential thing after buying a computer. Spyware infection can result in loss of computer efficiency or even identity theft as they can steal away your passwords also.

About the Author:

We are glad to have Isaiah Henry has our remove spyware geek at RemoveSpywareandAdware.com. You can visit us on how to remove spyware and adware for detail info.

Basic Knowledge of How to Remove Spyware

When it comes to PC protection, there have been endless discussions that are trying to come up with a solution for the average user’s problems. These discussions have led to the development of software targeting the malicious programs that harm your computer.

The malicious programs I am talking about consist mainly of viruses and spyware, but there are some other potentially harmful software that can do damage. Each of them has been counter-attacked with software solutions that can remove them.

In this article we will engage the problem of how to remove spyware. A normal antivirus program cannot detect or remove spyware, because it is not meant for this purpose. These things have been developed to find and destroy the harmful software categorized as viruses.

The sources of spyware are various. Malicious websites or websites that conduct file sharing activities, mp3 downloads or attachments you find in your email are just some of the places where you can infect your computer with spyware. The first step in protecting your computer is to avoid such things, but even the most experienced users can become victims to these things.

This is one of the reasons why you need to know how to remove spyware. But if the antivirus software cannot detect them, what should you look for in order to determine whether you have been infected or not? The most common results of the infection consist of a slow running computer, various pop-up windows, strange toolbars in the browser or weird icons on the desktop.

The solution on how to remove spyware no longer consists of visiting computer shops for solutions that can lead to bankruptcy. This can be done from your home, with a few simple steps that you need to follow and keep the costs to a minimum.

The best counter-attack you can engage in is with the use of anti-spyware software. This works on the same principles as the antivirus, but targets spyware instead of viruses. One of the leaders in this market is Paretologic with their newly developed product Xoftspyse.

The removal of spyware is done according to these principles. All the files on your computer are scanned and compared to the one in the databases of the software program. When one is found, it is removed. The advantage of Xoftspyse is the comprehensive database that includes over 260,000 spyware files, thus making it very effective in the battle against these malicious objects.

The databases are constantly being updated so you can rest assured that if anything new comes up, Xoftspyse will find out about it and keep it under control. Customer support for this software is available every day of the week, between certain hours.

Therefore, if I have picked your interest in Xoftspyse or if you want a few more guidelines on how to remove spyware, be sure to visit the website spywareremoversolution.com. Here you will also find reviews on the product and other interesting features.

Is your Computer Infected with Spyware?

Is your computer running slower than it should be? Do you find that de-fragmentation and extra memory doesn't help? Do you think it could be a virus? What do you do in situations like these? I suppose you'd run your antivirus software. But what happens when the problem still remains even after you've run your antivirus software? In situations like these, many people would turn to technical support. Does this situation sound familiar?

Every day, there are thousands of Internet users who suffer from the same problem. This problem is caused by nasty infectious software called spyware. Over 10% of calls made to technical support relate to spyware problems. According to Microsoft, 50% of all windows based problems are caused by trojans, viruses and spyware. http://www.spywarelive.com has relevant information on combating spyware and its sources.

Adware, Malware, Trojans and Keyloggers all fall under the umbrella name of spyware. Many times these programs are automatically installed on your computer without intervention. Depending on which program is infecting your computer, many unwanted actions take place. Some of the things which could occur as a result of having spyware on your computer are:
Settings may change
Your computer can be monitored remotely
Your computer can be controlled remotely
Your actions can be recorded
Advertisements can be displayed on your desktop

The most prominent spyware programs are:

Adware: This type of program download all sorts of advertisements to your computer and displays them whilst you surf the Internet.
Key Loggers: This program records all your movements and actions on your PC and reports directly to the hacker.
Dialers: A dialer is a program which he uses your phone line to dial premium rate numbers.
Browser Hijacker: These programs change your browser settings so your start page and search preferences are redirected elsewhere.

What is the difference between spyware and a virus?

A virus is a file or program which can cause actual harm or damage to your computer. It can even cause problems with your computer hardware. Spyware will not damage your computer but it is a pain and nuisance to have running in your processes. Spyware is intended to watch over or control you and your system. Since spyware and viruses are two different programs, antivirus software will not remove a spyware program. Thankfully, companies which make antivirus programs are now integrating anti-spyware components within their software.

How do you get spyware on your computer in the first place?

There are several ways this may happen.
You may have elected to allow browser plug-ins to be installed automatically. Sometimes these contain spyware.
Some web sites install spyware whilst you your on their web page. Over 80% of these types of websites are porn related.
If you download or install games or pictures from unscrupulous websites, you're most likely to be infected with spyware.
The worst type of spyware is one which tells you that it will eliminate infections from your computer but if you click on the ad, it will install spyware instead.

What can you do about it?
Use the Firefox browser. This will minimize the chances of being infected.
Be wary of sites you visit and download items from.
Keep your windows up to date.
Install anti-spyware software.
Make sure your firewall updates itself.

Look out for tell-tale signs of spyware infection, such as slow responses, ads popping up, extra icons in your system tray and unrecognised items in your task manager.
If you notice anything unusual do a full scan with recommended software. Make sure your protection isn't flawed.

Searching For Free Antivirus Software

These are some of the best, completely free antivirus software and add-ons available on the internet for download.

Avast Home Edition: This is a completely free but one of the best antivirus applications available anywhere, which is intended for non-commercial use. You can download and register it on their website (www.avast.com) free of cost. The Avast Home Edition features an On Demand Scanner, On Access Scanner (to protect e-mail clients, instant messengers, etc). It also has P2P protection and a lightweight firewall. The NNTP Scanner can scan all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC. It also has a real-time protection feature which is rather powerful. Program and database updates are also incredibly fast.

602LAN Suite (http://www.software602.com/products/ls/): This secure mail server has an inbuilt antivirus and anti-spam guard. The firewall is meant to control internet sharing and is equipped with NAT and Web content filter proxy. It also features standards based SSL SMTP/POP3 e-mail server that enables encrypted communication, junk mail protection and an integrated fax server. Access to the Web mail client, shared address book, remote administration and user home pages is provided by the integrated Web server. Other features include includes text content based Bayesian spam filter, Web Mail Client with WAP support, network address translation, attachment filter, PureSight proxy content filter, auto-update and ActiveReports.

AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic (http://www.free-av.com/): Another one of the few, but great free antivirus software available for download. The AntiVir PersonalEdition is for individual and private use on a single PC-workstation only, which can detect and remove more than 230,000 known viruses. It features a resident Virus Guard which monitors file movements automatically such as downloading of data from the internet. It scans and repairs macro viruses and protects against boot record viruses and master boot record viruses, Trojans, worms, and other malicious activities. You can easily update the database and support is free of charge through the AntiVir Bulletin Board (http://forum.antivir.de/).

AVG Free Edition: The free edition is available to home users for personal and non-commercial use on a single computer. Though it is limited in features compared to its professional counterpart, the AVG Free Edition does include useful features such as Automatic healing, Reliable scanning engine, Scheduled scanning frequency and Scheduled update frequency (both once a day only), Optional automatic update upon Internet detection, and Options to define file name extensions. There is also no technical support available.

Futureca AntiVirus Outlook: This is a special add-on designed specifically for Microsoft Outlook. It scans all incoming and outgoing mail messages for viruses in real time, and immediately alerts the user if it detects one. It is quite useful if you are a regular Outlook user, and the virus definition database can easily be updated over the internet. You can download it from http://www.futureca.com/downloads.htm.

RAV4ICQ (http://www.ravantivirus.com/): This is a free antivirus program intended to be integrated into ICQ, one of the most popular instant messengers in the world. The program checks for and removes several types of viruses, worms, Trojans and other malwares. It is easily configurable and can scan inside archives and take the desired actions for infected/suspicious files, and creates a log file for later reference.

About the Author

Antivirus HQ: your online resource to help protect your PC from viruses and spyware.

Finding The Right Antivirus Package

It could come as a surprise that even in this increasingly technological age that some people still neglect to take care of their computers against rogue elements seeking to damage or steal their data. Malicious code has evolved to a point where it is increasingly harder to keep them off one's computer.

Viruses and other malicious software can do much harm to one's personal data. Upon infecting a computer, they could do a host of dastardly schemes. They could steal data, destroy important files, and do all sorts of nasty things.

The solution here is to find a good antivirus software package that helps one keep unwanted invaders off one's computer. Here are some tips on finding and using these antiviral packages to obtain the optimal state of security against these intruders.

1. Find a complete antivirus package. Today, viruses have evolved beyond being simple replicating code monsters. In the past all you needed to know was that there were just a few types of viruses-Trojan horses, replicating code. Today there are all sorts of malware - worms, spy ware, exploits, and other things every person has to deal with.

Unfortunately, being able to avoid these types of viruses and malware takes a lot of technical expertise. You should go for an antivirus solution that is able to handle all of these threats without the user having to have a degree in antiviral technology.

Simply put, the antivirus software should be able to handle the most complex situations even if the user is entry-level. For antivirus softwares to be able to do this, it should automate most of the activities required of it. Should also be able to adapt to different situations and should be able to smartly perform actions depending on the situations.

2. Updated Definition Files. There is no such thing as a complete antivirus per se. So make sure your antivirus package as a means through which you can update your virus definition files online. Also, they should offer this service for free. Every day thousands upon thousands of rogue programmers develop viruses infect computers either out of the whim, or for personal gain.

Hot on their heels are these software manufacturers who have to keep in step with them and develop virus definition files that include these latest threats. Do a little research if you're antivirus software package is up-to-date with the latest virus definition files. They should be able to remove the latest viruses in the least amount of time.

3. Convenient. Antivirus software attitude should be convenient enough that you don't have to devote half your day scanning for viruses. Most software packages have means through which they can scan in the background so that they do not disturb you while you are working. Also they have scheduling capabilities so that they run whenever you are not using your computer actively.

The software packages should also run quick enough so that they are able to anticipate and prevent the further spread of malicious software.

4. Be a friend. Lastly be a friend and help your antivirus keep your computer free from these irritating malicious softwares. The best way to do this is to make sure your computer does not get in touch with software which does not come from trusted sources.

Beware of web sites that are of dubious content that constancy percent pop-ups urging you to press the yes button. Make sure you scan all removable hardware for viruses before you use them.

All Rights Reserved. Content may be reprinted as long as links remain intact.

About the Author

You spend so much time and money on your computer so why not protect it from viruses with an anti virus. Checkout http://perfectantivirus.info for information and reviews on anti virus software.

Discovering The Best Antivirus Software For You

Antivirus software refers to computer programs or tools that are used for identifying, blocking, and removing malicious applications such as computer viruses and malwares from the system. They have become essential tools for any computer user in today’s world of constant threat from virus attacks, spywares, system hijackers, etc.

An antivirus application performs two basic functions. The first is to scan all files, according to user preference, and identify the virus based on matching definitions in its database. This is known as virus dictionary or database approach of identifying viruses. Secondly, if run in real time, it tries to identify and suspicious activities occurring in the system, which may be triggered by other computer programs in the operating system. This is known as suspicious behavior approach. These two functions are the basis on which most antivirus software programs are built.

The Database Approach:

When the antivirus identifies a virus that matches any code or definition in its database, it will alert the user, and the user has the option of repairing, quarantining, deleting or analyzing the infected file. If the virus cannot be removed from the infected file, it is usually set to quarantine. However, users also have the option of immediately deleting the file thereby eliminating any further threats, or before the virus can execute itself. The infected file can also be sent to the software company for analysis and inclusion in the database, or if the antivirus has the feature, the user can analyze the infected file by self.

Since new viruses are created everyday, the virus database of the antivirus has to be updated continually. Almost all database updates are free and they can be scheduled or done manually.

Suspicious Behavior Approach:

There is no attempt to identify known viruses here like in the dictionary approach. Every activity and behavior in the system is monitored here by the antivirus. Therefore, this approach may protect from new viruses which has not yet been identified out of suspicion. However, this approach has mostly been abandoned by many antivirus companies because of its tendency to sound too many false positives. And today, there are so many non-malicious programs which can modify other executable files in disregard to the false positive issue. So this technique has become almost obsolete.

Popular Antivirus Software:

Norton Antivirus: One of the most well-known antivirus software, Norton automatically detects and removes viruses, rids computer of unwanted spyware, and scans email and IM attachments for threats.

McAfee VirusScan: The antivirus detects, blocks, and removes viruses and spyware, and protects irreplaceable documents such as digital photos, family movies, and financial spreadsheets, identity theft and slower PC performance.

PC-cillin Internet Security: From Trend Micro, it is an award-winning antivirus security and a personal firewall. Protects against viruses, worms, Trojans, and hackers, detects and removes spyware and blocks spam. Also protects your wireless network with Wi-Fi Intrusion Detection.

Panda Titanium: It uses TruPrevent Technologies, offering a double layer of protection against unknown viruses and intruders. It also protects system from hackers, phishing and other online fraud.

About the Author

Antivirus HQ: your online resource to help protect your PC from viruses and spyware.

WHAT NEXT

Having heard and learnt a lot about Spyware and their effect not only on your PC, but also on your security; a seriously minded & security conscious person (especially internet business oriented ones) will want to know the next step to prevent the occurrence of this menace and way to control it, if per chance (which is more likely) it happened. The next step will be discussed from next posting, this will include "Finding the right package", it may also include spyware comparism and so on.

About the Author

For more information on how to benefit from the internet, visit: www.ipodrendezvous.blogspot.com

Malware And Antivirus Software

Warning: most antivirus programs will not protect you against all forms of malignant software (often called "malware") on their own. Find out how to protect yourself.

Sure, your antivirus software will protect you against viruses. It will probably even do a good job against worms. But what Trojans, exploits, backdoors, spyware and the dozen other nasty software parasites?

Malware and Antivirus Software: a History

The war on computer viruses has led to an arms race between the designers of antivirus software and the designers of viruses (you didn't think viruses just created themselves did you?). Some years ago, virus designers responded to ever more successful antivirus software by creating the descendents of viruses, worms, which did not infect files but rather installed themselves directly on the hard drive, making them harder to detect.

The arms race has since led to a total of at least eleven distinct types of what is now called malware, a neologism meaning bad (as in malignant rather than shoddy) software. According to Wikipedia, these eleven types of malware are:

1. Virus
2. Worm
3. Wabbit
4. Trojan
5. Backdoor
6. Spyware
7. Exploit
8. Rootkit
9. Key Logger
10. Dialer
11. URL injection

There's a twelfth kind of malware: adware, which Wikipedia considers simply to be a subset of spyware.

Why Antivirus Software Isn't Enough for Malware

As you can see, makers of antivirus software have their work cut out for them if they're going to keep every instance of malware off your system. As a result, antivirus software makers have often had to pick their battles. Adware, whose makers often claim they are doing nothing illegal or even questionable, often gets treated more lightly.

Even when antivirus software makers do come out with a product that fights all twelve or so kinds of malware, responding to each new instance of malware to come on the market isn't easy. First the malware has to be identified, which means someone's computer, and probably tens of thousands of computers, will be infected first. Then, the malware has to be dissected. Then a removal program and a filter must both be written. Then the removal program and filter must be tested to make sure they work, and that they don't interfere with any other functions of the antivirus software or the computer itself. When a fix for the virus is out, it then has to be loaded into an antivirus software update and transmitted to every single computer worldwide that has the antivirus software installed.

The speed with which antivirus software makers are able to deliver updates for newly discovered malware would impress even Santa Claus. Yet there's still a crucial window of one to a few days between when the new malware has reached a critical mass of thousands of computers, and when the update is released. If your antivirus software is not set to check for updates automatically every hour or so, that window opens even wider.

Practically speaking, then, you're better off having more than one line of defense against malware. Even if two different anti-malware programs utilize the exact same database, there might be a crucial difference in the speed of getting updates. It makes sense to back up your antivirus software with anti-spyware software. When you consider that dedicated anti-spyware software developers make protection against the non-virus forms of malware their stock-in-trade, you can see why anti-spyware software is so essential. In fact, you should strongly consider having two anti-spyware programs running on your computer at all times, since the gap in updates between two anti-spyware programs can be even longer than for two antivirus programs.

After all, with a dozen kinds of malware out there, shouldn't you at least have two pieces of software to fight them?

About the Author

Joel Walsh writes for http://www.spyware-refuge.com on how to remove spyware: http://www.spyware-refuge.com?%20spyware%20adware%20blocker [Publish this article on your website! Requirement: live link for above URL/web address w/ link text/anchor text: "spyware adware blocker" OR leave this bracketed message intact.]

Antivirus Tools

Anti-Virus sends shivers down your spine when you think of all the damage they can do and the word tool gives us a primal instinct of safety and help. When you think about this is exactly what Anti-Virus Tools is designed for, peace of mind and a way to keep your computer form catching a cold.

Pros

What can one person say, there are more pros to this than there are letters in any alphabet but to name a few of them at the very least are, the protection it provides you while doing something as simple as checking your email, or chatting on one of the various Instant Messengers out there. Another fact is that all can and will continuously scan on their own or when you command them too. You can also determine how deep a scan is or isn't. In addition another Pro is the level of Defense the Anti-Virus Tools can provide, you can set it so high that nothing is getting in, unless of course you let it.

Cons

When it comes to Cons well there are a few to consider, one being whether or not your Anti-Virus tool is up to the job, some only protect against certain attacks while others cannot handle or keep up with the daily changes to the Anti-Virus world. Another and probably the biggest problem is the size of these programs, there are some out there that do not leave much room for anything else to be running, while others themselves are so large that unless you are running 128 MB or higher you do not have enough resources to use the program anyway.

User ability

The ease of use in these programs can be as different as day and night, however in most cases if you let it set up and install then run itself in the default settings then they are relatively easy to use. Another thing to consider is, before you install one is whether the product is right for you and if the Anti-Virus Tool does the job you need it to. Once these things are out of the way the User Ability turns into simple issues like deciding when the best time for it to run a scan is, remember the PC has to be turned on at the time and it is generally best to not do anything else during the scan.

Safety and Security

When it comes to Anti-Virus tools the safer you are in your choices and settings the more secure you will be. If you turn on your PC then you need to have an Anti-Virus tool, whether the computer ever gets put on line or not. A major Security for all of us is our own personal information and whether we are comfortable giving it out or not. There are very few of us who will willingly give out much more than our name and email, there are even more who do not like giving even that out. I suggest an alter-net email address for those who do not like giving out there own, and take into consideration that if the Anti-Virus tool you choose wants more information from you to download it then maybe you need to consider where you are downloading it from.

Summary and Rating

Summing up something as complex as Anti-Virus Tools, with all the options out there, and all the more reasons to use one is a huge undertaking in itself. I can only make suggestions on where to go from here. First choose carefully and wisely, do not be afraid to spend a few dollars to protect your computer. The thing to remember about the cost is, it has to be cheaper than having to buy an new PC. When choosing a tool, see what its minimum requirements are, what it protects against and how often it updates. Also whether or not you can set it to scan all the time and run your own deeper scan whenever you want.

As far as the Rating goes, it will and should always get a 10 and be one of the first things you do for your PC.

About the Author

Dee Owens writes articles and reviews for Software download sites. Follow the link to download your Freeware or Shareware.

Why Should I Use Antivirus Software?

The answer is really simple. To protect your own computer from damage, and to prevent your computer from being used to pass on infections to other machines without your knowledge.

Many people are reluctant to shell out the cash for decent antivirus software. I'll agree that at roughly $50 for a decent antivirus program, it isn't exactly small change. But, let's look at the costs more closely for a moment:

Computer --> $600-$4,000
Monitor --> $250-$1000
Software --> $500-$5000
Internet Connection --> $25+/month
Personal/Business Data --> Priceless

So, on the low end of the scale we are looking at a computer investment similar in price to an older used car, on the higher end, similar to a newer used car.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm guessing that you wouldn't buy a used car that had all the locks removed and didn't need a key to start it, and comes with a free "STEAL ME" sign on it too.

Having a computer that does not have up-to-date antivirus protection is absolutely the same. You are simply asking for trouble.

And trouble WILL find you.

How can I be so sure? Simply because that is what viruses, worms, malware etc. are made to do. Their ONLY job is to find unprotected computers and attack and hijack them without your knowledge. These things are VERY good at what they are built to do, and they NEVER stop. If your computer isn't protected, and you share disks or go online, it will get infected.

The top antivirus software programs cost as little as 2 months internet connection. They all include constant and unlimited automatic updates that keep your system safe and clean.

If you can afford $1500+ on a computer, $300+/year on internet connections, you can definitely afford another $50 once to make it safe (and prevent it from being used to spread viruses and Trojan horses behind your back).

Anything less would be uncivilized!

P.S. Some people have started to make claims that if you don't use antivirus software you should be held legally responsible if your machine be used as part of an attack (even if you did not know about it).

About the Author

Learn how to remove black worm virus & block trojan horses, spyware, computer viruses, etc. in the future. Growing library of Computer Security Articles

Protect Your Self From Anti-Spyware Frauds And Download A Genuine Anti-Spyware Program For Free

There are a lot of different types of Anti-Spyware programs out there. You will not only have to decide whether you want a Spyware blocker or a Spyware remover or a program that combines these two features. You must also decide if your want to pay for the Anti-Spyware program or if you prefer a free program. When it comes to Spyware Removers, some are very expensive, some comes with a small fee and there are also totally free spyware removers available. Most computer users choose to begin with one of the totally free spyware removers available online. Some are lucky enough to find the one of superior totally free spyware removers available on the Internet today, and will stick with this totally free spyware remover. Other chose to upgrade one of the not-so-good but totally free spyware removers available, to an enhanced but more pricy version of the program.

By starting out with one of the totally free spyware removers available online, you can try out several totally free spyware removers to find out which one is most suitable for your. Totally free spyware removers available off-line is hardly ever heard of, since it would be too expensive to distribute them. Instead, the programs available on the market today is found online where you can download them directly to your computer - easy and convenient. Despite the enormous amounts of online advertising about this type of programs online, it can be hard to actually find a totally free spyware remover available online. When you read the fine print, you will usually find out the products marketed as totally free spyware removers available online is actually not at all totally free. Sometimes the program it self will be totally free, but the necessary updates costs a lot of money. Since all spyware removers need to be updated regularly to learn about new types of Spyware, such programs will soon turn out to be not-at-all totally free spyware removers available online. Other programs claims to be totally free spyware removers available online, but are only free during a trial period - sometimes for just a few days. As soon as the trial period is over, you will have to buy one of their not-at-all totally free spyware removers available online. The third kind of bad totally free spyware removers available online are those that are so basic that they offer hardly any protection at all against new and clever Spyware.

You should also be aware, not all sites with totally free spyware removers available online are run by sincere Anti-Spyware companies. When the public knowledge about the potential dangers connected to Spyware programs grew, the computer users started to install spyware removers to combat the Spyware. The companies that gain from Spyware countered this by offering phoney spyware removers available free online. These false totally free spyware removers available online will not at all protect your computer from Spyware. Instead, a lot of them will even install Spyware on your computer and start sending information back to their owner. False totally free spyware removers available online can seem great, but will actually do more harm than good once you have installed them. Always use a critical eye when you check out a web site that offers totally free spyware removers available online. Only download free spyware removers from web sites that you know have a good reputation.

About the Author

New forms of malicious Spyware and Adware are constantly created and in order to protect your computer from infestations you must choose a high-quality program and keep it updated. Supportcave.com offer all this and more.

A Quick Look At Free Spyware

Spyware Doctor is widely regarded as one of the best antispyware programs on the market at the moment. Naturally, some people have been wondering whether you can get hold of free Spyware Doctor software. Well I have to tell you the answer is a qualified - yes! And it's all quite legal. Spyware Doctor is one of the most popular spyware scanning and removal systems available. It will protect you from a variety of threats including spy-ware and adware. But if you need antivirus protection you will need to get a program that is dedicated to that use.

Why has there been such a fuss about spyware recently? The increasing awareness of identity fraud has meant people are taking online security much more seriously now. Cyber criminals could be using your personal information right now without you knowing about it. These spyware programs are becoming more and more sophisticated. They can record passwords and even get access to your personal details such as credit cards. It's like someone looking over your shoulder at everything you do on your PC.

The first way to protect yourself against this type of threat is to reduce your risk of exposure. Don't download music, games or shareware unless it is from a trusted source. Even utilities that appear useful, such as a free web download accelerator, maybe bundled with spyware.

The next step is to use anti spyware software that can detect and remove spyware from your computer. You can download a free antispyware product from the Internet. Some of these are good products that will provide a level of cover. But it is important that you do your research, because some are essentially worthless. There are also paid products available that enjoy a good reputation, one of which is Spyware Doctor.

Spyware Doctor is able to detect, remove and prevent future infection of your machine with spyware. If it cannot remove a threat it will be placed in quarantine. This product has been produced for the Windows operating system.

The software is available on an annual subscription, which will allow full access to the full suite of capabilities of the product. But say you want to get hold of free Spyware Doctor software that you can start using straight away. First of all you can download the scanner, which locates spyware on your PC. This scanner is free for you to use. It will highlight ant spyware found on your machine. If you are knowledgeable about computers you can then manually delete any problems that the scanner finds.

The second way to get hold of free Spyware Doctor software is to download the 'Google pack', which is a free set of software tools from Google. Just put this term into your favorite search engine to get hold of a range of useful software, which is all free. This includes the starter edition of Spyware Doctor, which has the capability of detecting and removing spyware and provides limited real-time protection. You can upgrade to the full version at a later date if you wish.

About the Author

For more information on how to protect your PC from spyware, visit www.freespywarenow.com. There you'll find information on free removal of spyware , and the best spyware downloads.

Take Advantage Of Free Spyware

Spyware can be extremely damaging to your home computer so you need to take advantage of free programs that will prevent it from harming you. The fact that spyware can allow others to access your personal information is very scary, and it is often linked to identity theft problems. It is vital that you know how to protect your information from being accessed and your files from being corrupted by various computer viruses.

With the number of people using their home computers to run online businesses, pay bills, and manage various accounts, it is just to important not to have a quality spyware protection program in place. You want to be confident that whatever you access on your computer or store on it will always be safe.

The biggest problem out there though is that criminals continue to be more advanced in the tactics they use to get spyware passed you and into your computer. Even with a good spyware program in place you need to pay close attention to the operating of your computer. If you notice any significant changes you need to immediately get your computer looked at.

Pay close attention to the pop ups you get on your computer because if they suddenly increase you may have been infected with spyware. Never click on any of these advertisements. Don’t assume the new tool bar on your screen is just an update of your browser. It may be due to spyware being added to your computer. Pay attention to your home page and the web pages that come up on your computer. If they are different there may be there coding in your computer that is dictating them.

The speed of your internet connection is something you should be familiar with. If you see significant changes something is slowing it down that shouldn’t be in place. This is also true if your computer starts to lock up when you are trying to run various programs. Any time your computer restarts on its own you have serious issues that need to be addressed. Ignoring them allows the spyware to continue attacking your information.

There are multiple types of free spyware you can find online. Make sure you choose one that has a good reputation for being reliable. You may find you like what is offered as a free trial and decide to purchase the entire program for your computer. This is a very worthwhile investment because it can be a nightmare if your identity is stolen or accounts wiped out due to spyware on your computer.

Look for spyware that continually scans and removes any questionable materials. Even if these materials aren’t found in your computer when you look for them, a quality spyware program can track them down. The removal of spyware is a simple process and one that is done without you having to do anything but allow the spyware scan to run.

Since there is no way to tell what advertisements contain spyware, you need to always be careful about what you are accessing. Avoid those pop ups and watch for signs that your computer isn’t functioning as it should. You really want to be carefully about the information you download to your computer because you really don’t know what it contains. Don’t wait until your computer has been compromised by spyware before you take action. Taking preventative measures is a very important aspect of protecting all of your information on your computer.

About the Author

Salihu Ibrahim provides information on cheap notebook computers at his website http://www.mynotebookcomputers.com

A Quick Look At Free Spyware

When it comes to removing spyware from your computer there are various options open to you and these include installing a spyware blocker, spyware cleaner, and spyware detection software. There are a wide range of products available for consumers and this article will focus on the free spyware that is available and the things you should be aware of when choosing free spyware.

Free Spyware Programs

There are a number of free spyware programs available and a brief internet search will bring you up a list of them. These programs can be downloaded and installed on your computer and will give you protection against unwanted spyware.

SpywareBlaster is a free spyware detection software program that prevents spyware activeX controls from being installed on your computer. This spyware blocker also blocks cookies from websites that are known to track you internet habits. This is a free spyware program that can be downloaded and installed on your computer. Although free this spyware cleaner does have a number of advantages including the blocking of activeX.

SpywareGuard is another free spyware program that is available. This spyware blocker runs in the background and prevents spyware from being downloaded onto your computer. This free spyware program also has the ability to prevent your computer from being hijacked whilst you are browsing the internet which is a necessity if you have a dial up internet connection.

Whilst free spyware programs are available it is always wise to do a comparison of the features available with paid spyware removal software. Some free spyware removal software will only allow you to scan your computer for spyware and will give you a large list of spyware found. These free spyware programs will not however, allow you to remove this spyware from your computer until you actually purchase the spyware removal software. This is something that you should be aware of when looking a free spyware programs.

About the Author

We have a made the most comprehensive research on adware and spyware. Find it only on the Free spyware remover website. All about spyware and adware on LeanderNet - http://www.leandernet.com

Advanced Spyware Removal

Spyware Removal
(Skill Level: Beginner - Advanced )

This guide is intended for Beginners to Advanced users. It explains how to remove spyware, adware, malware, and other unwanted programs that are installed on your computer.

Starting with the automated removal process, this guide gets more advanced each page. Every page ill remove certain spyware programs from your computer, and finishing this guide will remove all spyware.

You SHOULD update your computer first:
Windows Update (IE only)

Relevant Software:
Zip Genius (Free) - For opening .zip files
Ad-Aware SE (Free)

Disclaimer:
Backup any information or files before you change them. Computer Shack takes no responsibility for mis-use of this guide, or lost information from lack of backups.

Spyware Removal
Page 2: Automatic Removal Methods

Required Software (click for download page):
Ad-Aware SE Download Page (Free)

This step of the spyware and adware removal guide will walk you through how to download and install a spyware and adware scanner called Ad-Aware SE

Terms:
Spyware - Software that steals your information, and sends it to other people
Adware - Software specifially for putting advertisements on your computer
Mal-Ware - Software that intends to harm your computer and or network.
Ad-Aware - NOT ADWARE, this is a program to remove adware

Download and Install Ad-Aware:

1. Download Ad-Aware SE here (Free)
2. Install the program, and run it for the first time
3. Click the globe icon in the upper right corner of the Ad-Aware window
4. Click 'Connect' and wait for the program to update itself

Scan for Adware, Spyware, and Malware:

1. From the Ad-Aware main window, click start
2. Select the 'Perform Full Scan' option, and click Next
3. Allow Ad-Aware to scan as long as it needs

Remove Adware that Ad-Aware found (AFTER scanning):

1. When scan completes, press 'Next'
2. The next page is a list of Adware, Spyware, and Malware that are on your computer
3. Right click the checkboxes in the list, and 'Select All' and click Next

This page has shown you how to scan and remove roughly 75% of spyware programs. The effectiveness of this program will not be high unless you UPDATE AD-AWARE!

Next: Manual Removal Steps (more thorough)

Spyware Removal
Page 3: Manual Removal Methods (more thorough)
(Skill Level: Advanced)

Terms:
Registry - The 'database' where your computers settings are stored
Export - Very similar to saving, this backs up your registry data
Startup Section - The list of programs that start-up with your computer
MSConfig - A windows program that lists your startup items

Disclaimer:
Backup any information or files before you change them. Computer Shack takes no responsibility for mis-use of this guide, or lost information from lack of backups.

Check your startup items:
1. Start > Run
2. In the new box, type 'msconfig'
3. In msconfig, click the startup tab
4. Look through the items on the list, and uncheck items you DONT want starting up on your computer

What to remove from my startup items?
This step is considered an Advanced step because it requires the user to have a knowledge about assorted programs, and software producers. While looking through the list of startup items, you should uncheck any programs that are non-commercial products. For example, Virus Scanners that start with your computer-- If you have Norton Anti-Virus installed, you should keep an eye out for startup items that include things LIKE:

Symantec (Nortons company)
Norton (maker of Norton Antivirus)
Anti-Virus (obviously you dont want to remove items that contain that term).

*NOTE* - Use this guideline to look for software companies, and programs that you KNOW you want to startup with your computer.

Once you have looked through the list, and unchecked the items you DONT want to startup with your computer, you can close msconfig, and restart. When Windows starts up, it will tell you that it isnt starting up all of your programs. Click the checkbox, and click OK to have it not show you this again.

If you have removed something you shouldnt have, or if your computer is acting funny, you can always CHECK the box next to the startup items in MSconfig to add them back to your startup list.

About the Author

All content of this article is copyright Computer Shack. http://www.ComputerShack.net

Spyware Removal

To understand why you want to remove spyware, it is important to know exactly what spyware is and what is does. Spyware is a small program that is uploaded to your computer through contact with a website. This code was originally designed to track visitors to a particular site and find out were else they went.

This information was used by the website to tailor the advertising on their site to match the type of places their customers were already going. The program has had many changes over the years since its creation, the first of which was adware. Meaning that the program was used to place ads on your computer.

This is when the program started top change into something that was more dangerous to your computer. There were some adware that was minor and you would notice them on occasion but there were some that were far more noticeable. These would place so many ads on your computer that your computer would freeze up and crash.

The next evolution in the spyware program came when it started being used to transport Trojan Horse viruses. This is when a virus is placed inside a spyware program allowing it to enter your system undetected by your anti-virus program. This could cause a great deal of damage to your computer very quickly. The final evolution to the spyware program has come with the rise of identity theft. The personal information on your computer is the most valuable thing you have on it.

The spyware will gather all your username/password combinations and well as other important account information. Then it will return this information to the person that placed the spyware there to start with. This places your entire life at risk and not just your computer, so you can see why spyware removal is very important. To find out if you have any spyware on your system you can look for system slow down but if you wait till than you will have waited way too long.

Other ways of detecting spyware is by watching the harddrive light for unusual activity when you think it should not have activity. There is also the ‘task manager’ on Windows XP that will identify all the running processes on your computer. You will need to research each of these by going to Google to determine if they are rouge processes or not.

The best thing you can do if you spend any amount of time online is to have a regular scheduled time to run your spyware removal software. Spyware is so common these days that it is safe to assume that it is there and you need to remove it. Depending on the amount of sensitive information you have on your computer and the amount of sensitive work you do on your computer will determine the schedule. Some will do it after each web session and for some once a week is good enough. That is up to you but you need to be consistent in doing it.

About the Author

Van Whitsett has published a number of articles, both online and off. For more info on this topic, go to Spyware Removal