Ways to Protect Your Computer From Spyware and Adware

You first line of defense against rogue anti-spyware programs is research. Before you choose any program, do some research on what consumers have reported about it. You can get a really good idea of how good a program is just by seeing how effective it has been for others. People are eager to provide feedback on a product that has not met their expectations, especially when if it creates more of a problem for them. There are several websites that give fairly accurate reports, both good and bad, on these programs.

Also, never trust an anti-spyware or adware program that is offered through a pop-up window, especially one that claims your system is currently infected. The fact that it is offered through a pop-up window to begin with should raise a red flag immediately. Pop-ups are sneaky, underhanded ways for advertisers to get the information they want from you without your permission. In some cases, just clicking the close button inside of a pop-up window will install unwanted spyware or adware on your computer. With that being said, protect yourself even further by installing a reputable pop-up blocker to prevent dangerous, unsolicited pop-up advertisements.

Besides keeping an up-to-date anti-spyware program and a pop-up blocker installed on your computer, there are other things that you yourself can do to help protect your system:

- Never download any program or open any email that you are unsure of. If you are not 100% positive that it is something you want, do not download or open it.

- Make sure you update your operating system files on a regular basis, especially if you use Windows. Many security loopholes are fixed with during these updates so they are important.

- If you use Internet Explorer, adjust your browser security settings to at least medium.

- A good firewall goes a long way towards detecting possible system intrusions.