Spyware is software that covertly installs itself on your computer, runs behind the scenes on your machine and collects information regarding your keystrokes, your browsing habits and other information that is personal. The only warning you get is that your machine’s performance starts to deteriorate, and perhaps your machine hangs or freezes. Your PC starts behaving strangely. While there are tools to remove spyware, the best situation is that it does not enter your machine at all. Here are some tips to keeping spyware from destroying your computer.
1. First of all, you need to be alert. Avoid clicks and links on sites you are not familiar with. This is especially true of pop up ads that come with spam mail. Do not do this since you do not want the software to install itself, which it can with a little click.
2. Ensure that your computer is free of spyware. All of us have seen pop up advertisements. So many of them come with a button to click to close the pop up advertisement. Do not click the button. Close the window with the X at the corner of the window instead. This will prevent the pop up from installing spyware on your computer.
3. Never open email attachments from an unknown source. It may contain some spy ware.
4. None of us take the trouble to read all the agreements when we install software. We just click the Accept button. Well spyware manufacturers have actually entered clauses in the agreements that expressly state that you are agreeing to install the spyware on your computer.
5. Install a good firewall on your computer. Some software like Windows XP come with a built in firewall. There are other firewalls that you can use like ZoneAlarm which are not that expensive.
6. Ensure that your browser has settings that are set at a higher side to protect against spyware. Internet Explorer 8 and Mozilla Firefox have a good firewall that offers great protection.
7. Beware of certain applications. Did you know the programs that you installed so that you could download MP3s for free or your weather tracker, those glittery smileys that you insert into your emails all contain spyware? What is even more shocking is that there are free applications available on the net that offer to clean spyware. They clean spyware, and then before exiting, they leave their own spyware.
The best thing you can do to prevent any spyware infection is to be wary. Trust only those programs, mails and websites that you are familiar with. Do not download and install any strange software just because it is eye-catching. Only download things that come from reputable companies and have a good review. Beware of websites that have too may banner ads and pop ups. They are the sort that will give you a huge amount of spyware. Of course you must not open email attachments if you do not know and trust the source.