Troubleshooting
Spyware and viruses are the cause of a growing number of computer problems, so when I troubleshoot a problematic computer this is the first thing I look at.Definition of spyware
Spyware generally refers to
programs installed on your computer, usually covertly, without your
knowledge. The spyware can transmit personal information to companies
who collect your data for profit purposes. The companies use the data
in several ways including, selling it to others, using it for marketing
data, or tracking browsing habits.
Spyware can also install other
software at the same time and make your computer extra vulnerable to
other programs being installed.
Symptoms that your computer has spyware
If your computer has had poor performance problems, is crashing frequently, there
are a lot of pop-up windows, theres icons being added to your Desktop
or Favorites that you didn't put there, home Page and Search Pages
changing and Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs will not run. These
are only some of the major problems spyware causes.
If you computer simply does
not seem to be running right, then it won't hurt to run an anti-spyware
program.
Avoid getting spyware
Now with today's Internet there's no way to avoid totally getting spyware, but here's a few tips to reduce the amount that affect your computer.
1. Don't install any software from the Internet unless you are absolutely sure it won't infect your computer. This includes freeware, free greeting cards, free screensavers, free music, on-line games, extra toolbars, little add-ons, etc. Even if the file comes from a friend, you still must be sure what the file is before opening it.
2. Don't click on any links in an E-mail unless you are absolutely sure that the web site won't infect your computer. This is especially true with viruses because they are sent mostly though E-mail.
3. Surf with Firefox instead
of Internet Explorer. Firefox has extra security and pop-up fighting
features that will prove invaluable over and over again.
How to remove spyware
First you'll need to download a spyware removal program.
Ad-aware personal use program is an easy and effective program from lavasoft. They have a free and a paid version, but make sure that you download the free or the paid version. If you download the trial version it will scan and find spyware on your computer but it won't let you remove the spyware.
The paid version has more options, but if this is your first time using spyware removal software I would recommend the free version at first. There are other programs out there like spybot search and destroy that are also decent free spyware fighting programs.
It's important that you keep
your spyware program updated to detect and remove the latest viruses
and spyware. When you open the program there will be an update button
you can click, but before you click it you have to be connected to
the Internet so it can download the update. I would recommend checking
for updates at least once a week and scanning your computer once a
week also. You can scan your computer more than that if you like.
