The good news is that you can take steps to avoid spyware infections and prevent what can be a very expensive service call.

1 ) Make sure your computer is behind a firewall.  Most home routers these days provide a strong firewall and windows XP/Vista both have built in firewalls.  Make sure these are turned on and configured correctly.

2 ) Install an anti-spyware utility.  There are MANY options for both virus and spyware protection on the market these days.  For those on a budget, we recommend a combination of Microsoft’s Defender and AVG’s antivirus (both free products).  For greater protection, look into commercial software such as sunbelt’s Vipre or Webroot’s Spysweeper.

3 ) Promptly install windows update.  Microsoft releases updates frequently for windows XP and Vista.  Make sure your computer is configured to automatically receive and install these updates.

4 ) Don’t use file sharing software.  Peer to Peer file sharing networks are tempting as you will find software, videos and music of all types.  However much of the content on these networks is illegal, additionally infected files run rampant on these networks.  Avoid these peer to peer networks (such as limewire or morepheus).

5 ) Take precausions on social networking sites such as facebook and myspace.  A recent security analysis of facebook ‘apps’ showed the potential for serious, wide spread infections.  In addition, numerous worms have been found floating through both facebook and myspace.  Don’t download or install anything from these social networks that don’t come from a 100% reliable source.

6 ) Don’t click on pop-up ads.  Many popup ads disguise their “close” or “exit” or “no” buttons as software installation buttons.  So you may thinking you’re clicking out of an advertisement, but instead you’ve just installed a nasty piece of spyware.  If you get a pop-up, don’t click on anything within the window.  Instead click on the close button (the small X in the upper right corner of the window).

7 ) Don’t visit adult or piracy sites.  Both adult and software piracy website are havens for malware of all sorts. 

8 ) Don’t open email from strangers.  If you receive an email from someone you don’t know, do not click on any links in the email or open the attachments.  Just delete it.

9 ) Watch out for “too good to be true” offers.  An email or an ad that promises below market rate mortgages, free software, or anything else that sounds too good to be true probably is.  Don’t click on these offers or visit these websites.

10 ) Always read the EULAs (End User License Agreement).  When a website or program asks you to install something take the time to browse the agreement that pops up.  These are often full of legal mumbo jumbo causing most users to skip them, but they often disclose the inclusion of adware/spyware.

11 ) Use an alternative browser.  Most users reading this are probably using Internet Explorer.  Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is the most used browser, and as a result the most often exploited (primarily due to the inclusion of “activeX controls”).  Browsers such as Firefox or Google’s Chrome don’t use activeX and also aren’t as big of a target for malware authors. 

Spyware/Malware infections are more than just an inconvenience and can have serious consequences.  Take the precautions above as well as schedule a visit from a qualified computer tech to insure your computers are properly protected and up to date.

There has been a significant backlash against Vista from both the private and corporate sectors.  There are few compelling reasons for your average user to upgrade from XP (some gamers may argue that however) and many users don’t want to suffer through the learning curve present with Vista.  Not to mention hardware drivers for Vista are still hard to come by for older hardware and it is almost a given that you’ll have to upgrade much of your software to be Vista compatible.

Weigh in on the subject by commenting below.  How do you feel about Vista?  Are you using it at home or at work?   Here at Computer Rooter we are always training on the latest platforms so that we can provide our customers with cutting edge computer support, so we are running Vista on many of our workstations.  XP however is still the operating system of choice on our workhorse computers that we just can’t be without.

1) Make sure you have recent anti-virus software and that it is up to date.  Don’t assume that just because you bought an anti-virus application 2 years ago that it is still doing its job.  Check the program and make sure that it has up to date virus definitions.

2) Anti-virus alone is not enough, you should have spyware/malware protection as well.  Good products include Sunbelt Counterspy or Webroot Spysweeper.  For those on a budget, Microsoft offers a free anti-spyware application called Defender (although this is not as good as the paid products mentioned, it is at least some basic protection).

3) Change your surfing behavior.  Anti-virus and Anti-spyware applications aren’t flawless.  Even with the best software it is still possible (although far less likely) to get infected.   Follow these steps when you’re online:

• Do not open email attachments from people you do not know.
• Do not install plugins from websites that state “you must install this software to properly view this web page” (unless you know exactly what it is you are downloading)
• Do not visit X-Rated or Serial #/Crack sites as these are prime candidates for distributing infections
• If you do come across an X-Rated site via a pop-up or other means, do not click on any links or bookmark it.
• Do not download files from peer to peer file sharing networks such as limewire, emule, etc…  Infected files run rampant on these networks.