PC Protection - Part 1: Remove Spyware, Adware, Malware and More...

So, you found yourself infected. You could have prevented it by keeping Windows up-to-date with Windows Update. Now you have spyware on your PC. I cannot stress how important updates are! OK. You receive automatic updates, but maybe you weren't careful enough with your internet habits. Don't sweat, there are tools to help.

Read what *Spyware, Adware, and Malware are according to Microsoft:
*HERE

We'll use the umbrella term "spyware" to refer to all of the above intrusions. Perhaps you visited suspicious website that required you to install some software, or you opened a misleading e-mail, or you were too quick and you clicked on that pop-up just as you were about to click on something else. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. Spyware is one of the greatest privacy threats today. It can not only ruin your online experience but it can also have an enormous impact on your pc's performance.

You will most likely know when you've become infected with spyware. Websites become littered with pop-ups, sometimes when you first start your browser. By then its probably more than one infection. Software you thought was legit, could also infect you with spyware. And when all is said and done, it takes an hour to first boot your computer, and another hour to close out all the pop-up ads. And then your computer freezes up because some spyware overloaded your processor. Its time to get rid of all that spyware.

There are dozens of spyware removers, cleaners, tools, fixes,ect. Even some of them can infect you with spyware whilst claiming to remove them. So, here is a short list of some of the best spyware tools around.

Now is the time to disinfect that PC!

SpySweeper from Webroot.
Webroot products consistently receive top review ratings by respected third–party media and have been adopted by millions globally. Their SpySweeper software is one of the best, but will cost you: $29.99 (for 1 license) or $39.95 (for a 3-pack). They even offer a free online scan to check for infestation.

Ad-Aware for Lavasoft
Ad-Aware comes in several flaovors - my favorite being the free version. But aside from the free one, the PLUS version (1-year license for $26.95) offers extras such as Virus-protection, extended threat dection database, and realtime detection. There is even a PRO edition (1 year license for $39.95) which is suitable for, you guessed it, professionals.

Trend Micro Inc.
Trend Micro offers a range of spyware/anitvirus software for a price (with time-limited free trials). But I would like to focus on one thing from them: Housecall. Trend Micro™ HouseCall is an ONLINE application for checking whether your computer has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. HouseCall performs additional security checks to identify and fix vulnerabilities to prevent reinfection - FREE!!

Spyware Doctor from PC Tools Software.
Another top-rated spyware remover. The trial version only offers spyware detection and real-time protection, but for $29.95, you can have those threats removed. On the plus side,
the Starter Edition with full scan, basic real-time protection, AND removal of threats is available for free as part of the Google Pack. Did I mention Google Pack is FREE?

Windows Defender by Microsoft
Built into Vista, Defender is Microsoft's attempt at spyware protection for its operating systems.
XP users should install Microsoft's FREE Windows Defender and keep it updated through windows updates. It not only works, but it's FREE!

Spybot Search & Destroy!
Spybot is my personal favorite. Besides being FREE, it supports a wide range of operating systems and is constantly updated. Spybot is easy to use and offers extra tools in its arsenal to help detect, prevent and remove spyware. If you like Spybot and find it useful, please make a donation to keep this utility free for everyone else.

That's about all of the noteworthy programs you can use.
In the next post, I will check out some Antivirus software.
If you thought spyware was threatening, a virus can be deadly.

*MS linkage

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