Part 4: Adware, Malware... Spyware!

This is part 4 of the 7-part series, Dunce guide on how to make your computer. So far we have already discussed updating your computer and the importance of installing antivirus software. Take note that this tips cannot be selectively done. You must do all of the suggested tips in order to ensure that your computer is fully protected. Now let's go to Tip no. 3.

Tip no. 3 - Scan for spyware -So what is spyware is. Spyware is "a computer software that collects personal information about users without their informed consent." It is often used interchangeably with adware and malware.

Spyware is a pest when it comes to personal privacy and security. It tracks your surfing habits and logs your web history. (Sites you have visited) Spyware was originally intended to track a person's surfing habits in order to determine what products he intends to buy on the internet. This is what is known as targeted advertising. To put it simply if you are fond of buying electronic gadgets over the internet, next time you visit a site, ads about electronic gadgets will start to pop up. Over the years spyware has evolved to so some very nasty things. It not only collects surfing habits, it collects sensitive information as well. Malicious type of spyware logs your key strokes or attempts to scan and read documents and steal information regarding your credit cards.

So how do you remove spyware? Due to a lot of spyware coming out now a days there are hundreds of commercial software out there that can remove spyware. However if you can't afford to spend money on spyware removers you can download two of the best free spyware removers there is. They are still as good as the commercial one. They are Lavasoft's Adaware SE personal edition and Spybot-Search and destroy. The free version of Adaware is as good as the commercial version. It's just that in the commercial version there are more features that are offered and a preventive option can also be availed of. On the other hand Spybot is totally free.

When you already have the spyware remover installed, you then scan for spyware and remove it. You will have to be diligent in doing this every other day or once a week especially if there are several people using your PC, you might not know what kind of programs they have installed. You might also instruct the people who use your computer to ask you before they install any type of program.

Spyware is truly one of the greatest threats that modern PC security experts are focusing on. Billions of dollars has been spent on spyware removal technology. The best way to avoid spyware though is be careful always not to install any program that pass itself off as "free." While it is true that they are truly free, they might cost you your personal information as they might contain spyware. The best thing to do is read the reviews in the internet first if such and such a program does not contain spyware. If there is no review on the program, it is better that you should not install the program rather than risk compromising your system.