I remember when spyware was a real scare. USA Today, Time, and Newsweek were spewing articles about all of the scary things that could happen because of it. Well, the heyday of spyware might be over, but there are still threats lurking in the depths of cyberspace. One particularly horrible nuissance is the homepage hijacker known as CoolWebSearch, which basically turns your web browser into an advertisement tool for junk products. Actually, most of the problems people have with spyware aren't caused by anyone but themselves. It's quite possible to use the internet these days as liberally as you wish without contracting some sort of computer virus or malcious spyware installation. All you need to know is what to avoid while you're surfing the web. Are you ready to get rid of some spyware, or avoid spyware altogether? Then read on.
Spyware Self-Protection
Avoid certain P2P file sharing programs and networks if you want to keep spyware off your computer. Since a lot of these P2P filesharing programs are free, the only way they can make money is by data-mining, that means mining your data. Often times they install a program that simply monitors the keywords or tracks your website usage, sending valuable (commercially viable) information back to their servers. One P2P filesharing program that I use is Ares. No spyware there.
Stay away from toolbars if you want to protect your computer from a spyware infection. Some of the lesser known toolbars are actually data-mining programs that send your traffic information back to their creators, which is then sold to marketing strategy firms to help them form a better ad campaign. If you're sick of being targeted by this kind of spyware, don't install programs like Mywebsearch toolbar, Cool web search, or any download accelerators.
Stay away from any popups or windows that offer to scan your computer for spyware. Anti-spyware ads are a clever new tactic carried out by spyware vendors. Honestly, this is genius, because I imagine a lot of naive people see a window like that popup and think that it's their computer talking to them. Well, guess what, it's not. Don't click on those things, for chrissakes!
Keep your copy of Windows updated constantly, and try using a more updated version of your favorite web browser. No browser is perfect. I've seen some of the newest versions of Internet Explorer get hijacked by spyware like Cool Web Search. Here are some particulars you need to keep updated on a regular basis: your web browser (I use Firefox), Java VM (if you have it installed), and Windows XP (soon to be Windows Vista). If you make sure to check for updates regularly, most software companies will usually make sure to close any security gaps in their products.
Get active with your software protection if you want to get rid of spyware. There is no greater anti-spyware software on the market today than Lavasoft's Ad-aware Personal Edition. I can't stress enough how important it is to get this program if you want to get rid of spyware and keep spyware out of your personal business. It's a quick download; it updates itself automatically each time you use it, and best of all: it's free.
Spyware Removal Programs
There are a ton of spyware removal programs out there, and I'll tell you something: I'm skeptical. With the threat of spyware being half of what it used to be, anti-spyware sofware companies are becoming a lot like washed-up, used car salesmen. They'll keep pushing you to get the newest version, that one perfect version that will keep your computer safe from harms way! Ne'er a virus or spyware infestation shall touch your beloved PC once it is annointed with their miracle software suite! It's a software suite! I love that word, "suite." It makes their product sound more like productivity software from Adobe than a junk application with no real merits or uses. If anything, most of the spyware detection software out there will make your computer run slower than a serious spyware infection would. But there are a lot of spyware protection software developers out there, and they must be doing something right or they wouldn't last too long on the internet, now would they?
