How to Protect Your Computer Against Spyware



Most of the time, a computer user will have spyware and won't even know it. Spyware is designed to operate undetected. It will find its way into your computer's operating system, often downloading without your knowledge from the web. Once inside, it collects information on your computer and can eventually corrupt and significantly damage your system. It also puts your personal information in jeopardy. Sometimes a shared computer will have spyware running in order to monitor the computer's activity. You need to be careful what information you let spyware access, and therefore you need to know when you are using an infected computer.

Spyware doesn't just spy on your computer movements – it does all sorts of things. First, it gathers your personal information, watches your Internet movements and remembers your passwords. It also installs unwanted programs on your computer and redirects certain functions. It can lock you out of your own computer by taking over the controls. It can cut you off of the Internet, disrupt your applications and make your computer move very sluggishly.

Protect Yourself Against Spyware

You might be worried now. How do you know that you don't have spyware on your computer right now? How can you avoid getting it in the future? Spyware is very easy to get, but it is also extremely easy to prevent. If you use high speed Internet you should definitely be using a router. That's not enough, however. Below are some instructions, detailing how you can protect your computer, and your personal information, from spyware:

  • Update Windows immediately. Patches are released often that correct Wndows vulnerabilities.
  • Go to your "Control Panel" and open the "Windows Security Center."
  • Make sure that the Automatic Download and Installation for Updates is switched ON or make sure that your operating system's firewall is turned ON.
  • Adjust your anti-virus software to "Auto Update."
  • Download an alternate web browser, such as Mozilla Firefox or Opera.
  • You should download and install a trusted anti-spyware program. Consider one that provides "active protection."
  • Your anti-spyware and anti-virus programs' "Definitions" should be up-to-date. If they are not, update them.
 

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