Common Sense Tips To Prevent Spyware/Malware Infections

In today's world, more and more PCs are becoming the target for a wide varity of attacks.
Your personal information is being constantly tracked in new and more creative ways.
One of the most common threats to your personal information is the proliferation of spyware and viruses.
These two together make up what we classify as “Malware”.
Here are a few common sense ways to reduce your chances of being infected:

Pay attention to what pops up on your screen:
When you are surfing the internet, you may frequently find boxes popping up on your screen.
These boxes can be as simple as a browser warning that you are leaving a secure site, but they can also tell you that something is trying to install software to your computer.
It is very imporatant that if a file is trying to install itself on your computer, you need know what it is.
If the box is asking you for permission to install something, make sure you recognize what the file is.
Reputable sites that require a certain applet to function should tell you what their software is.
If there doesn’t seem to be a particular use for a file to be installed, do not install it.

Do not download free screensavers, web smileys or toolbars.
These programs, while sometimes cool and interesting, are typically loaded with spyware and often times viruses. While you think you are installing a nice looking screensaver or other "feature", the software will nearly always include a program that can harm your computer or steal your personal information.

Many people like to install toolbars such as Google, Yahoo, MSN or Windows Live. These products are not particulary harmful to your computer and can be useful.
They can make searching your favorite engine easier and sometimes block pop-ups, but we reccommend that you do not install more than one of these. They will use your available system resources and make your computer run slower. Be aware that many times these toolbars come with a bundle of software that you may not want to install such as Adobe Flash or Java. When you’re installing these types of sotware it is best to choose a custom install and only install the minimum components you desire.

KEEP YOUR ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE UP TO DATE!!
If you have outdated or expired antivirus software there are a few good free antivirus products avaialable:
AVG can be downloaded from http://free.avg.com/
Avast! can be installed from http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html.
Both programs are free for non-commercial use and will offer the home user good, basic virus protection

Don't stop with just an antivirus product:
While AVG and Avast! are good at helping you keep your computer free of viruses, they can't protect you alone.
Spyware may include components such as keyloggers. These can track your keystrokes in order to capute your passwords, banking information...etc.
Malwarebytes AntiMalware ( http://www.malwarebytes.org )
and Super Antispyware ( http://www.superantispyware.com/ ) are both good programs to use to keep your system clean.
The free versions usually won’t update themselves or run on a regular basis, so you must run them yourself.
Once a week is fine for most users, but if you suspect your computer has become infected, then run a scan as soon as possible. Be sure you check for updates before using them as well, to ensure that you have the latest detection rules available.

Be careful what sites you visit:
High risk sites, such as adult sites have a higher probability than others of infecting your system. If you intend to browse these high risk sites, make sure you run an anti-spyware program afterwards and make sure you do not click on any ads while you are on these sites. Clicking on Ads or other text links can install spyware, so be very careful what you click on!!

Use a Firewall:
A firewall will help keep your computer from being seen and accessed. The built in Windows firewall is good...a properly configured hardware firewall is hard to beat.

Watch for stange behavior when you’re browsing the internet:
You may see boxes and pop-ups that you don’t expect. They may tell you that you have a virus or other infection and offer to clean it up. This tactic has been appearing more and more lately. If something pops-up telling you you have a virus or spyware, and it is not a warning you recognize as coming from your own installed antivirus software, DO NOT CLICK ON IT!!
It is trying to scare you into clicking on it so that it can silently install more malware.

Spyware may keep you from accessing sites that you try to go to, escpecially sites that can assist in the removal of the rouge software. It may redirect you to the pages they want you to see or simply tell you that “Access was denied because the site could harm your computer.” These are important clues that you have spyware installed. If you can’t access a spyware removal site, try downloading the tool from a different computer and transferring the software to the infected computer via removable media or a flash drive. Be careful if you choose to use a USB flash drive as the infected computer can put the virus onto your thumb drive. The safest way is to create a finalized cd-rom with the necessary removal software, as once finalized the optical disc cannot be written to further.

Spyware and viruses are rampant,and cleanup can often times be very difficult.
If, by using common sense, you can avoid the infection, that is the best way to go.
Make sure you pay attention to the notices that pop-up, know what they mean, and where they are coming from.
If you do become infected with malware, clean up is always easier if you catch it early.