Boulder Computer Maven
Steve Winograd, Owner
P. O. Box 2187
Boulder CO 80306
303-444-8247
steve@bcmaven.com
Helping
People Use Computers in Boulder for Over 20 Years
Protecting Your Computer
From Spyware
Spyware programs
are installed on your computer, usually without your
knowledge, by criminals using the Internet. Spyware can send your
personal information to the criminals to help them steal your
identity. It can let them take remote control of your computer
and use it
to attack other computers and send spam, viruses, and pornography to
other people on the Internet.
Update and run spyware prevention (SpywareBlaster)
and removal (Ad-Aware
SE Personal, Spybot
Search &
Destroy) programs on a
regular schedule. I recommend twice a week
initially. If no spyware appears after two weeks, go to once
a
week.
Here are some signs of spyware. Run spyware removal programs
immediately if they appear:
- Your computer runs slowly, hangs,
crashes frequently, or won't shut down normally.
- Your computer spontaneously dials out and
connects to the Internet.
- When you try to visit a web site, your web
browser takes you to a different site.
- Your Internet Explorer home page changes
unexpectedly, undesired toolbars appear, or undesired items appear in
Favorites.
- Undesired windows open on the screen,
advertising fraudulent or illegal products.
- Unknown icons appear on the desktop.
These steps will
protect your computer from new spyware infections. Make sure that
everyone who
uses your computer understands and follows them:
- Don't
download or install programs from unknown sources.
- If a window appears asking you to install a program, close
the window immediately, without answering Yes, No, or OK, unless you're sure
that the program is legitimate. If
you think it's OK but aren't sure, call me and ask, or search for
information about the program on the web.
- Don't trade music and
video files
on the Internet. Peer-to-peer file
trading programs like Kazaa are a prime source of infection. Paid
services like iTunes, MusicMatch, and Rhapsody are
OK.
- Don't visit questionable web sites. They're
often designed to install spyware.
- Configure Windows Update to run automatically, and install
critical updates and security
patches immediately.
- Keep your antivirus program up to date.
- Firewall your Internet connection with a broadband router and/or
a firewall program.
©2005
Boulder Computer Maven. All Rights
Reserved.