by Raleigh Stout

Created on: April 19, 2008

To block spyware is doable with the proper attitude and mindset to prevent other people from controlling your computer.

Criminal hackers love to use spyware in combination with virus attacks to gain control of computers in order to find ways to take money or property from computer users and owners, including computer network processing resources and Internet connections. Here are some ideas:

1. Regularly run antivirus and antispyware scans using different products. Remove any infections found. One effective way to block spyware is to run antivirus and antispyware scans from safe mode while most nonessential programs are asleep.

2. Form a habit of accessing the Internet from a non-privileged user account instead of an administrator account. This makes it harder for viruses and spyware to gain control of the computer.

3. Routinely update the operating system using critical and security updates from the software manufacturer. Many such updates are designed to resist attacks by spyware and criminal hackers.

4. Installing an antispyware program on the computer, as well as an antivirus program, would be a great idea. Look for programs with an easy-to-use interface that you are comfortable with.

5. Install and / or activate an Internet connection firewall, and consider using it on local networks as well. Such usage of a firewall will go a long way to blocking any spyware from calling home over your network and Internet connections.

6. Always scan any downloads for spyware and viruses before running them on your computer. Kids love to take free stuff on the Internet, so it is important to teach them to avoid such downloads or to scan them before running them on the computer. Free downloads, even innocent-looking ones, are frequently loaded with viruses or spyware waiting to run on the computer. It is best to refuse to look at any attachments in email that you did not ask for because that is a main way for viruses and spyware to get into people's computers. It is also possible for relatives to send innocent-looking files that actually have spyware in them, so scan all attachments routinely before viewing or running them.

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