Adware, malware, spyware and viruses can
bring your system to its knees. They are detrimental, lowering the
performance of your computer. You might need to replace data. You might
lose unique files. Keep the nasties away from your computer using these
ten simple tips.
1. Use Firefox: Internet Explorer is the
most popular browser on the market, controlling over 50% of the market
share. The virus and adware creators specifically look for exploitable
vulnerabilities within IE because they know that they will receive the
best return on investment. Your switch to Firefox prevents some adware
from infecting your machine.
2. Scan your PC once a week: Sometimes
adware programmers take a sneaky approach. They will set up their
programs to run quietly in the background to spy upon your activities.
This once a week scan is necessary to remove any of those sneaky bugs.
3. Download from known sites: New sites
for installing adware are popping up all the time. If you find something
that you want to download, make sure that it is from a known site. A
company like Amazon will not steer you wrong, but Bob’s House of Wares
might be a little less trustable. If you are not sure whether you can
trust a site, perform a quick search.
4. Install Adaware: Ad-Aware is the most
popular free adware removal program on the market. It detects,
quarantines and removes adware. It searches for other programs which may
have been installed, highlighting them in an easy to use interface.
This program does not have an anti-virus attached.
5. Do not click on unsolicited email:
You are constantly receiving offers to increase this or improve that
through unsolicited email. Your curiosity may be killing you, but don’t
click on these emails. They accept your click as permission to install
adware, spyware and malware on your PC.
6. Install Antivirus software:
Installing two programs for virus and adware protection is a smart idea.
It caters to the strengths of each program, increasing the overall
strength of your antiadware and antiviral campaign. Some of the best
antivirus software is free, providing real time protection. Programs to
look at would be Avast Antivir and AVG.
7. Don’t install toolbars: Even some
reputable sites install custom toolbars. They slow your system down and
collect information about your surfing habits. While a toolbar might
offer some perks, it may also diminish your experience by dragging your
system to a halt. Toolbars from less reputable places install adware and
sometimes infect your system outright.
8. Look at your task manager: If
anything seems out of place with your computer, take a look at your task
manager. This tells you about all of the programs and processes which
are running on your computer. Examine the processes tab for anything
which you don’t immediately recognize. Perform a web search for
unfamiliar processes.
9. Do not click on popups: Clicking on a
popup usually spells certain doom for your computer. It opens the door
for the viruses and adware that want to infect your machine, telling
these malicious applications to make themselves at home. Stay away from
those constantly advertised screensavers and icons.
10. Trust your gut: If you don’t feel
right about a site, don’t go there. If you are receiving warnings from
the antivirus and antiadware programs which you’ve installed, don’t go
there. If you don’t like the layout of a site, don’t go there. Trust
your instincts about sites.
With proper vigilance, you can keep
aggravating adware, spyware and malware from your machine. Trust your
instincts. Install Ad-Aware and an antivirus program. Play it safe. The
care you spend in preventing adware from infecting your machine can save
money and time.
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hacking
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