Nuke Modified | AntiVirus Remover

Prevention Is The Best Medicine Against Spyware

Preventing a spyware infection is a lot easier than removing it.  Following some safe browsing practices can dramatically reduce the chances of your computer being successfully invaded by malicious software and keep your system running properly.  Add in a good spyware detection and removal program, and your computer will stay protected from online threats.

What is Spyware?

Malicious programs like spyware are designed to profit their creators in some way.  Some of them collect your private information in order to allow the thieves to steal your identity.  Some direct your online movements to ad sites that profit the scammers.  Some will try to trick you into buying fake “upgrades” in order to get your credit card information.  While they are doing this, many of them will destroy your computer, either intentionally or inadvertently.

How Spyware Gets on Your Computer

There are six main categories of how spyware makes its way onto your computer.  All of them can be defended against to some degree.  Spyware, unlike viruses, has to be installed on your computer.  So to prevent it, you need to have strict control over everything installed.

Piggybacking

Perhaps the most common way that spyware reaches your computer is by piggybacking on a program you want.  Many file sharing programs have spyware to track you integrated into their systems.  A lot of toolbars, often advertised as helping with an online game, are little more than vehicles for spyware and adware.

Sometimes a fun program like a desktop pet will be designed more to steal your information than entertain you.  Check every program you install by reading reviews and doing searches to make sure it isn’t a known spyware carrier.

The Trojan Horse

A very common method of getting you to install spyware is the Trojan Horse method.  The spyware creator will tell you that the program is something else entirely.  The descriptions can range from a simple video helper file to pretending the malware is an antivirus program.  Again, always check before allowing a program to install on your computer.  Never let a popup advertisement install anything on your computer.

Bundling

Some spyware comes bundled with legitimate shareware or freeware.  The scammers take otherwise good software and make their own package out of it.  Avoiding this one is a matter of going to the source to get shareware or freeware, instead of downloading it off a fly-by-night website.  Whenever possible, download software from the creators of the program, not a third party.

Browser Exploitation, Viruses, and Physical Attack

The other three methods are harder to protect against, but are fortunately much rarer as well.  Some spyware will install itself in a “drive-by download” if your browser is not completely up-to-date.  Keep your browser updated and disable any automatic installations.

Viruses can also deliver spyware as their payload.  If you run a good antivirus, you should be protected.

The last method is manual installation by someone with physical access to your computer.  There are many ways to protect against that, the most obvious being a password to reactivate your computer if you leave it unattended.

Last Advice: Run an Antispyware Program

Although it may seem easy to prevent spyware, you should also run an antispyware program regularly to scan for new infections.  Never assume your computer is safe, and that will help you keep your system protected.

About the Author

Try a free SpyZooka scan now from http://www.spyzooka.com to find out if your computer is infected with malicious programs and protect it from future problems.

Trojan Horse (Compact Disc) $30.85 Description not available.

Trojan Horse (Hardcover) $34.68 Description not available.

Trojan Horse (Paperback) $18.46 Description not available.