Free Spyware Software

1. You’re browsing the web. You don’t use tabs. You’re not the multitask, new generation, modern teen. And for some unexplained reason, your powerful, macho, new computer is lagging. You’re not playing. No downloads. Is it sick? Maybe it had unsafe sex with a freeware, file sharing software and got infected with spyware…

2. What are the symptoms? High CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic not justified by the user’s activity. Frequent stability, application and internet connection issues. Does your computer suffer from any of these symptoms?

3. What is adware? What is spyware? Adware is software that displays advertisement on your pc. Spyware is software that sends information from your pc to a third party without your knowledge and explicit consent.

4. How does adware and spyware get installed into your computer?

(a) Have you ever browsed a website and a windows dialog box pops up asking you a question? Have you ever clicked the cancel button? Well that’s how someone can trick you into installing adware and spyware into your computer.

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Despite the real threat of computer viruses, it’s still amazing just how many folks operate their PC with little or no antivirus protection. There are literally millions of PC’s that are infected with malicious malware, spyware, and various viruses, and quite often unbeknown to the user. Many complain that their machines are running sluggish, or behaving oddly, but don’t always connect viruses with these problems and usually blame the PC as being useless. If you are one of these people, then I urge you to install and run an anti virus check before you do another thing.

I have been using a free anti virus checker on all my machines since 1997 called AVG. It has protected me well over the years and has an automated update facility included in the giveaway version. Every single day, its anti virus check updater finds and installs new updates. This means that every single day they are finding new threats to online security. This should give you some idea of just how big the menace is. These virtual villains are writing code and nasty programs for no other purpose than to spy on, destroy, or steal your data, but it’s up to you to protect yourself. Don’t worry, there are many free programs out there which are designed to do just that.

Another mistake many folks make, is that they think they can simply visit one of the free online anti virus check programs should they get infected. The problem with this is that some viruses can wipe our your entire hard drive, stop you from opening web browsers, or simply shut your PC down each time you try to boot it up. No, the only way to keep your PC and your personal data safe is to download either a free or paid antivirus program, then run an anti virus check immediately to safeguard hardware, software, and stored information.

Most folks have a standard line of defense and despite running an anti virus check weekly (recommended), it is not enough defense on its own. Once again, there is some good free protection out there and here’s what I have running on my PC:

Zone Alarm firewall: to block all unauthorized access to my machine.

AVG Free Edition: My anti virus check program.

Ad-Aware SE Personal: Which provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware etc.

SpywareBlaster: Another anti-spyware and anti-adware line of defense.

Spybot - Search & Destroy: Detects and removes different kinds of spyware from your PC.

That little lot should be enough to give most home users a good line of defense. Whichever programs you choose, they will become pretty redundant if you don’t update and run them on a regular basis. These are not labor intensive tasks but you must remember to make a schedule and stick with it if you care anything about your privacy.

Your firewall will just run in the background, so there’s nothing to do there. Your virus checker will scan you emails and find most viruses as they attempt to enter your secure zone, but it’s still crucial to run a full system scan weekly to route out any that have gotten in through the back door. Ad-Aware needs updating and running weekly as does Spybot, but SpywareBlaster just needs updating.

So there we have it. Start by giving your PC an anti virus check, then download you free firewall followed by the rest of the programs.

The above is just a guide and there are many ways to protect your PC and personal data. If you require more advanced suggestions, I recommend you hop online and check out your options.

Janis Elliot is a proficient writer and webmaster for Anti All Sorts dot com where she has articles on Anti-aging Creams and Anti Virus Protection. She also has other pieces on the site relating to Anti All Sorts!

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1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make sure NO programs are open, and

a. In Windows 95, 98 or Me, go to C:\Windows\Temp and delete everything inside the Temp folder.

b. In Windows 2000 or XP, make sure that you can see hidden folders. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp folder. Delete everything here.

2. Empty the Temporary Internet Files regularly. Go to your Control Panel and double-click the Internet Options icon. Choose to Delete Cookies, and to Delete Files

3. Check your hard disks for problems.

a. For Windows 95, 98, or Me, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems.

b. For Windows 2000 and XP, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. Click on Check Now.

4. Download a good 3rd Party Disk Check and Optimization Utility HERE… http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

5. Or, you can do a few of the performance tweaks yourself, if you have Windows XP. Right-click on My Computer and click on Properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click on Settings. On the Visual Effects tab, you will see a list of check boxes. You really don’t need any of them for Windows to run.

6. Turn off Active Desktop.

a. In Windows 95, 98 and Me, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Active Desktop

b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu,
choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content.

c. In Windows XP, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no websites chosen here.

7. Use a good AntiVirus program, such as AVG AntiVirus. Get it HERE… http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

8. Get rid of Spyware. Install two different AntiSpyware programs: AdAware SE and SpyBot. They compliment each other and catch Spyware that the other misses. Get SpyBot HERE… http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp. Get Adaware SE HERE… http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

9. Streamline MSCONFIG. You can use a utility, called MSCONFIG, to turn OFF unnecessary Start Up items.

a. In Windows 98, Me, and XP, click on Start\Run and type msconfig. Click on the Startup tab. This is a list of everything that is running in the background. Now, be careful, some of these you do need. Some items to keep are Ctfmon.exe (XP), Scan Registry (Win98, Me), Task Monitor (Win98, Me), System Tray (Win98, Me), LoadPowerProfile (Win98, Me), Rundll.32, any AntiVirus programs (such as McAfee, Norton, or AVG). Others, you can uncheck. Remember, if something doesn’t work because you turned it off, it can always be turned back on.

b. For Windows 2000, MSCONFIG must be downloaded HERE… http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.

10. Defragment your hard drives.

a. To defragment your hard drives, double-click on My Computer. Right-click on the c-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to Defragment Now

Good luck. I hope this article has helped you. If you live in the Lapeer County, MI area, and would like a Professional professionally TuneUp your computer(s) in your home or business, please contact Lapeer Tech Group at (810) 793-1093

I have worked in the IT field since 1989 and hold several Microsoft certifications. I am a network administrator and owner and operator of Lapeer Tech Group, located in Columbiaville, Michigan (just outside of Lapeer). During these years, I have supported both Macs and PCs, am an accomplished graphic and web designer, and have had the opportunity to support 2nd and 3rd level enterprise networks for GM, EDS, Delphi, and Delco.

If you would like to get in touch with me, you may do so at (810) 793-1093, or by email at jim.shutes@LapeerTechGroup.com. My website is http://www.LapeerTechGroup.com

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