How to Protect
Yourself against Spyware
Unfortunately protecting
your computer from spyware isn't as easy as protecting
yourself from viruses. There isn't just one program
that is going to solve the problem. The reason being
is that spyware programmers can re-invent their code very
easily and new "variants" come out
constantly. The other reason is that spyware even
though intrusive isn't considered malicious by
"powers that be" yet. However, I believe
this sentiment is changing. To
protect yourself from spyware takes a 3-pronged attack
against the little buggers. Here are the antispyware utilities
you will need:
- Spyware
remover
- Spyware
preventer
- Spyware
checker
The first step in spyware
protection is to install the following free downloads.
After installing the
software go to the antispyware
checklist, which will
provide configuration and usage guidelines for each of
the products.
 Spybot
- Search and Destroy
Spybot is definitely the new king in
spyware and adware removal. I have tried it for a
while now and it is more comprehensive, thorough, and
faster than ad-aware. Ad-aware still has a great
following and great guys working to make it number one,
but in my opinion Spybot currently holds that honor.
Spybot-S&D can also clean usage tracks, an interesting
function if you share your computer with other users and
don't want them to see what you worked on. And for
professional users, it allows to fix some registry
inconsistencies and extended reports.
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Home of Spybot Search and Destroy
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Ad-aware
Standard Edition is THE award winning, free*, multi-component detection and removal utility that consistently leads the
industry in safety, user satisfaction, support and reliability.
With its ability to comprehensively scan your memory, registry, hard,
removable and optical drives for known data mining, aggressive advertising, and
tracking components, Ad-aware will provide the user with the confidence to
surf the Internet knowing that their privacy will remain intact. Let Ad-aware
protect your privacy.
Brought you by LavaSoft
Spyware
Prevent software
SpywareBlaster
- Prevent Spyware from ever being Installed!!
Doesn't scan and clean
for spyware, it PREVENTS
it from ever being installed.
By setting a "kill
bit" for spyware ActiveX controls, SpywareBlaster can
prevent the installation of any spyware ActiveX
controls from a webpage.
- You won't get any more
annoying "Yes/No" boxes popped up, asking
you to install a spyware.
- The newest
SpywareBlaster version can even block spyware/tracking
cookies!
- SpywareBlaster also
provides the exclusive System Snapshot! - Take a
snapshot of your computer in its clean state, and use
System Snapshot later to revert many changes made by
spyware and browser hijackers!
The SpywareBlaster
database contains information on known spyware Active-X
controls. Make sure you run the Check For Updates feature
frequently to get the latest database!
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Cool software
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Spyware
Check software
 HijackThis
A general homepage
hijackers detector and remover. Initially based on the
article Hijacked!,
but expanded with almost a dozen other checks against
hijacker tricks. It is continually updated to detect and
remove new hijacks. It does not target specific
programs/URLs, just the methods used by hijackers to force
you onto their sites. As a result, false positives are
imminent and unless you are sure what you're doing, you
should always consult with knowledgeable folks (e.g. the forums)
before deleting anything.
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