#1 Trend Micro AntiVirus/AntiSpyware 2008

#2 AVG 8 for Antivirus and SUPERAntiSpyware. Both are FREE for the basic version but offer more options with the paid for upgrade.

How Does Spyware Get Onto My Computer?
      Spyware typically finds its way onto your computer when you download other programs, mainly freeware (free software, often for trial purposes). This is called bundling - basically the spyware producers pay the freeware producers to include the spyware in their products. This helps finance the freeware that you download so that you don't have to pay for it. Spyware can also be installed on your PC by visiting a bad website through active X controls.

      When you download freeware, spyware applications are often included and may be mentioned in the licensing agreement. The spyware company is counting on you to click "Ok" without really reading the agreement and if you do the spyware is installed. Spyware can also arrive in Emails so delete any Emails you do not recognize like email from Agrah Fohungo from Nigeria with a $100,000 check for you. Come on folks, use that common sense and don't even poke a stick at them, instead immediately delete it.

      Spyware can also be installed on your computer by visiting certain sites. You may be prompted to download a certain application to see the site properly, to view a greeting card, to watch a video or hear a song on the site, etc. All could be spyware so use only trusted sutes.

      Watch out for HiJacking. What you say? are they going to steal my car? he he, no not your car but your Internet connection. After catching this bug you cannot get to the Internet and get a message reading "Your computer is infected with a virus or spyware","Please click here and pay for our removal software to fix this". THIS IS NOT A REAL ANTIVIRUS OR ANTISPYWARE PROGRAM. IT IS THE INFECTION. Do not click "OK", DO NOT enter any of your info. Call me to properly remove this bug after trying your own Antivirus and Antispyware programs, They usually don't get it as special programs are often required. I'll need the specific wording on the page that pops up.

      Much of the time spyware is used to monitor your internet surfing habits, and this information is used in conjunction with adware to target specific advertisements to your tastes. However, spyware can be used to monitor much more than just surfing habits. Depending on the purposes of its creator, spyware can monitor and gather information about;
      Email addresses
      Passwords
      Credit card numbers
      Keystrokes
      Chat programs
      Word processor documents
      Web pages visited
      Download habits
      Cookies (little packets of information stored in your internet browser to                      identify you to websites that you visit)
      Anything on your hard drive

So keep that Antispyware and Antivirus software updated every day and run your scans. You can leave the computer on at night and set the scan running at bedtime. Do AntiVirus one day then AntiSpyware the next a backup on the day after that. Some program have a scheduler you can set to do this automatically.

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By Eric Landry, The Computer Consultant in Sarasota, Florida
Email Eric Landry in Sarasota Florida at: expereric@gmail.com
Serving Sarasota Florida From Sarasota Square Mall to The Meadows.