Spyware Epidemic Continues

More than half of the computers coming into our service department are coming in for one reason.  They are infected. Whether it's with spyware, adware, viruses, worms, or some other form of malware (bad software); they either cannot get on the Internet or cannot stay on the internet.  Before this happens to you, you’ll want to take some steps: 

Make sure your antivirus program is up to date.  If it is not, or if you don’t have one, download, install, and use one.  We like AVG, which you can get from www.GRIsoft.com.  There is a version which is free to individuals - http://free.GRIsoft.com

Download and install at least one good spyware elimination program.  Note that most programs which say they eliminate spyware are lying.  They eliminate some spyware programs and install others.  Some that we use and trust are:  Spybot Search & Destroy, which has an immunization feature and can be downloaded from www.safer-networking.org.   Spyware Blaster and Spyware Guard, which can be gotten from http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy
    Beware of look-alikes.  And when you run them, allow plenty of time, go through the tutorials, and be careful.  These programs are powerful enough to remove stuff from your computer that you really don’t want to remove.  Go slowly.

Be sure to keep everything up to date.  All Anti-Virus programs and spyware removers require updating to stay effective.  Also, the spyware removers are passive scanners.  This means that they won't prevent you from getting spyware.  Instead you run them to remove the spyware.

If you wait until you can’t get on the Internet to try to get the above programs, you’ll be in a catch-22 situation, so allocate some time this week-end to be prepared. 

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