Preventing spyware infection: Safe browsing tips

by Barbara Babb

Spyware serves no useful purpose for the typical consumer using their PC at home. It is used in the majority of the cases to either try to target ads based on your browsing habits and/or steal your private information to be passed onto others where it will be used to cause you more harm, either on your PC or through stealing of your identity or bank account information.

There are many ways to prevent spyware infections on your computer. Most are easily performed and are free to do.

1. Get a quality firewall and install it. After installation test your connection at www.pcflank.com. Follow the firewall maker's instructions to set it up properly. Ensure it is setup to inform you of outgoing attempts to contact the internet.

2. NEVER click on photos or logos in emails. Try this, the next time you have one, HOVER (do not click) your mouse over the image. Look in the lower left corner while doing so this displays the URL you are being directed to which is probably different than stated in the email. This misdirection can be to get your computer to install software through the browser, or other misdeeds.

You can adjust the settings of your browser to reduce your chances of spyware infection. These settings inside Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc that will reduce unknown software installation.

Do not allow Active-X and Java from unknown sites and sites you do not trust. Do not allow software installation without permission.

Set your browser to block popup windows. Some of these popup windows tell you that your computer is infected and by clicking their button you agree to download the software to "fix" the problem. Typically there is not a problem with your machine, it is a ploy. How does it work? You download the software to fix a non-existent problem only to find now it is hogging your computer resources and will not let you uninstall it.

If you download software, particularly software listed as "free" read the EULA carefully. Most of the time there will be hidden among the legal-speak terms of what the software can and will do if you agree to the license. However, there are several software distributors will not disclose these things in the EULA. Keep in the back of your mind nothing is free. It may not cost you currency to download and run, but it could ultimately cost the use of your computer, hiring a professional to eradicate the problem, your private information, and much more.

To uninstall, you are required to "purchase" their program which will then provide the uninstaller portion so you can remove it. Not a very honest tactic, but one that is being used successfully. This same software can be installing many things on your system without your knowledge.

Finally, do not surf to website that offer "warez," or other forms of codes that allow you to bypass software manufacturers' licensing keys. These sites are a haven for illicit software installing just by visiting. Another type of sites to avoid are pornographic sites. These sites also target your computer in the background to install malware software.

Download Spybot S&D from http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html.

Install this software and use the "immunization" feature. This will help block a majority of the known spyware programs and websites known to use or distribute these programs.

It is possible to surf in relative safety without worry of spyware installation. Anytime you allow access to your computer, you put it at risk. Knowing the risks and how to safeguard against them will make your internet experience much safer.