Are you being infected by spyware?

To the inexperienced Internet user, here is a simple questionnaire…

… Is it taking more time to load recently when you start your computer?
… Are you being annoyed these days with pop-up windows from sites you have never visited before?
… Do you notice any unusual software loading simultaneously during startup?

If your answer is even a mild ‘yes’ to these questions, then it is most likely that your computer is at some stage of being infected by a parasite called spyware /adware. Beware my friend, because this parasite can grasp eagerly your identity by closely keeping an eye on your activities on the net, by laying hold of your passwords to sites housing your personal documents, and by stealing access to your bank account and credit card details.

So what then is spyware anyway ? A simple definition will be that ” it is a program that creeps in cunningly without your knowledge to collect data from your PC.” All of us are in the midst of visiting websites and downloading/installing various programs for our daily use. It is to these programs that the spyware attaches itself while your program is being downloaded.

What do you do then when you have found out that your computer has been invaded by spyware? First, do not run any program that has not been scanned by an anti-virus and anti-spyware program. Most inexperienced Internet users have the notion that a simple virus scan is all that is needed to get rid of all infections. Follow the steps given below to get ideal results…

1. Delete all temporary files. Information about sites you have visited before is stored in these temporary files. They occupy space and have the potential of being infected. Delete them by going to “Start-Acessories-System tools-Disk cleanup”. Also delete cookies by going to “Tools” and “Internet options”

2. Get a complete anti-virus / anti-spyware /adware program. “BitDefender” and “NoAdware” are the best. You can also try “Spybot’s Search and Destroy” program. The ‘Paid’ ones are still better.

3. Get free updates on all the anti-spyware programs you will have. New spyware worms keep coming to infect all the time.

Here are a few more tips to keep your computer healthy…

1. Please do not open an attachment from any unknown email you receive without running a scan. Have you received the email from Nigeria yet? Do not click on any links or open attachments from them! Just delete them! A hacker recently went into the Paypal account of a friend of mine and cleaned up his checking account.

2. Be careful while you are downloading your favorite songs and movies. Download only from well-accepted sites and run the anti-spyware program on them anyway.

3. Do not visit porno sites. You can collect dangerous spyware easily from here.

4. If you can, install a firewall on your PC to protect it from dangerous visitors. Check with your computer consultant or your hardware dealer how to do this.

5. Download the latest updates for Windows or whatever system you are running.

Guard yourself and your computer. Change your passwords very often to be safe while browsing. Turn off the broadband if you want the computer to be on and you need a break. An idling computer is raw meat for the spyware employer. Hackers are waiting round the corner. Remember there is big money to be made by collecting and selling information. Internet browsing will only be enjoyable until the time you are the next unfortunate victim.