Spyware to me is the number one threat to home computers in the world today. It is responsible for millions of problems related to people’s home computers which in turns equals up to millions if not billions of dollars of software purchases and computer repair service. Microsoft guesses that spyware is the root of about 50% of all PC crashes. Home users and business alike need to get a hold of this problem that has gotten out of hand and infuriates me when I come across it.   A lot of times home users go to websites that they are not familiar with and let java scripts run or they click yes to something they don’t read, they install something that says free!!!! And in turn screw up their computers. They notice that something is wrong when for some reason their DSL internet is slow on loading pages, It my take their pc longer to boot up to the desktop than usually.Â
A user maybe online looking at new car and all of a sudden a pop-up comes up and gives you an advertisement offer for a low interest car loan. Spyware can change system settings, install key loggers which keeps track of where you go and what you type when you get there (example: Bank account info), and use your computer’s resources.Â
The first line of defense to stop spyware from getting on your machine in the first place starts with you the computer user. You as a computer owner need to be mindful of where you go and what you do while online. If you have children set up an account in windows XP that prohibits the right for them to install software. Setup a policy of not going to websites that you know sling advertisements at you and you have had a problems with before with spyware. Once you start to practice better computer use you will lessen your chance of acquiring spyware.Â
After you accomplish that you need to get some mean nasty anti-spyware software. You don’t have to pay a whole bunch of money for software I have used spybot which is free and also windows defender from Microsoft which is free also. One program that I recommend that is an awesome piece of software, which has received many accolades and awards for its superiority, is called spyware doctor. It is very inexpensive at about $30.00 and it get’s the job done. Like anti virus software, anti spyware software needs to be updated periodically with new information on new spyware so it can better detect new spyware. Also you need anti spyware software that is going to get rid of all the many different forms of spyware like Remote Access Trojans, Browser hijackers, and keyloggers.
Once you remove spyware programs from your computer you’ll find it will run better and your information will be much safer.