The Internet is not safe. Even the most cautious web surfers can be the victim of malicious spyware. What is spyware? Spyware takes many forms, from simple "cookies" (small text files unknowingly saved to your hard drive) to huge networks of viral programs. And exactly how dangerous can spyware be? Well there is quite a range of exactly how detrimental spyware can be to your PC performance and web browsing experience. Some spyware programs simply change your "home" website, while worse ones create pop-up advertisements. Some spyware programs are capable of even more destruction, they can log each and every key you type, save personal and financial information (credit card and bank account information) and assist in identity theft.

Wow, the internet sure does sound dangerous! How can I prevent myself from being infected with spyware? One of the easiest things one can do to keep spyware-free is be extremely cautious with which websites your browse and what you download! If it sounds too good to be true, well it probably is; that free music, video, or game is most likely spyware. Not only be careful what websites you visit, be very careful with what kind of information you put on the internet. Make sure it is a well-known and trusted site before you give them any personal or financial information. Better yet use well known and legitimate paying services like PayPal(www.paypal.com), or Google Checkout (checkout.google.com). Not only being wary of the sites you browse can be helpful, but changing how you browse them may help as well. Internet Explorer is most definitely the most exploited and least secure of the many free web browsing programs. As an easy to use and free alternative I suggest Mozilla's Firefox (www.mozilla.com/firefox/) as well as Opera (www.opera.com) and Maxthon (www.maxthon.com). I_f you find compatability issues and are heart-set on staying with Internet Explorer I suggest you use the free online tool, PC Pit Stop (www.pcpitstop.com) to help configure your Internet Explorer settings in the most secure way.

But I'm already infected, what can I do?! Well, luckily IT professionals and fed-up web browsers, have created programs that can both prevent and remove spyware. They are usually simple tools created to remove spyware and delete unwanted cookies, but you must be very careful which program you choose to use. Many of these programs simply install spyware that they promise they will get rid of! To avoid this here are a few easy to use absolutely free programs that anyone will be able to use. A very popular one is Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com), as well as Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/so ftware/default.mspx), SpyBot S&D (www.safer-networking.org/). An important tip to keep in mind is that you must keep these programs updated! New viruses are coming out every day to try and get through these programs, and these programs must be updated frequently to be effective in todays internet. In the end, a stitch in time saves nine! Avoiding getting spyware, by being smart and cautious, is the best way to prevent harm from spyware.

Learn more about this author, Luke Reiser.
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