How to Protect your Computer from Viruses, Adware and Spyware

September 1, 2007 by Linda.

If you have owned a computer for any amount of time you have heard the terms Computer Virus Spyware,and Adware. However, you might not know what any of these terms mean or what causes them. Most casual users know that no one wants them but do you know how to avoid them or remove them?

What are Viruses, Spyware and Adware?

Virus

A manmade self-replicating program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against
your wishes.

Spyware

Software that gathers information about the users habits or personal information and submits information back to the originating site.

Adware

Is a type of spyware that gathers user information in order to deliver ads to their computer.

What exactly do viruses, spyware and adware do to my computer?

Viruses

Are computer programs this means that anything a normal program can do such as; deleting files, formatting a user’s hard drive, and even overwriting the BIOS, which will completely disable the computer.

Spyware

Software usually bundled with freeware and shareware programs that gathers user information via an Internet connection without the users knowledge. This type of software monitors user browsing preferences and sends information back to the originating company. Most spyware and adware software is created for collection of a users demographic, shopping preferences and browsing habits. It is important to note that some of these programs are created to target users email address, passwords, credit card and account information.

Adware

Similar to spyware in that it gathers information from a users computer without their knowledge, is typically bundled in freeware and shareware via programs downloaded from the internet. Adware causes multiple pop-up windows to appear randomly while a user is browsing typically the user does not even realize they have adware installed on their computer.

How Does a Computer Become Infected?

Computer Viruses are preventable and are caused by the user themselves.
Examples of user caused viruses are;

• Downloading and opening Email from an unknown source.
• Allowing programs to auto run on download.
• Clicking on a popup that says you must download a program in order to view the site.

Even though all of the above are ways that allow a virus into a users computer the main cause of an infected computer is out of date antivirus software.

How Can I Prevent Infection and Protect My Computer?

One of the most important ways you can protect your computer is installing, Anti-Virus Software, Ad-ware Software, a properly configured Firewall (either software or hardware), and preforming Windows updates.

However, remember that just installing them is not enough you must keep these programs up-to-date. While installing this type of software enable the the auto update feature and schedle automatic scans on a regualar schedule if the program offers these options.

Listed below are some programs to get you started on your way to a clean and secure computer

Avast Free Anti-Virus/Firewall Software

This Program is free to home users for personal use there is a charge for business related use.

Trendmicro Free Online Virus, Spyware, Adware Scanning and Removal

The online scanning and removal is offered for free the also have a great anti-virus program for sale.

Lavasoft Free Adware And Spyware Removal

This program has a free version available and also offers a Pro version for a fee.

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