Spyware, Adware, and Virus Infections
We
are experts in removing spyware, adware, and virus infections from
your computer. We can remove these infections from your
computer and then make sure you are properly protected from future
infections. Slow performance, constant pop-up ads, or complete
inability to use your computer can be very frustrating and there
really is no need. Let us show you the right way to keep your
computer safe.
Norton Antivirus, McAfee Antivirus,
Trend Micro PC-Cillin, Stop-Sign, Avast, AVG
Spyware, adware, and virus infections have rapidly grown over
recent years, leaving many computer users with slow running systems,
annoying pop-up ads, stolen private information and surfing habits,
and other undesirable experiences. Simply running just any
antivirus software doesn't cut it anymore. One antivirus program
can do a better job than another. Some just scan for viruses while
others scan viruses, spyware, and other malware. Each company
maintains their own individual database of infections to scan for
and the research their database is based on can vary widely.
Scanning your computer with McAfee Antivirus can produce completely
different results than scanning your computer with another
competitor such as Norton Antivirus. In other words, one companies
program can determine your computer is clean of infections while
another can detect numerous infections that exist. So how do you
know what program you should run on your computer? The answer
continues to vary over time. Time was when Norton Antivirus was
recognized and respected as the best on the market. That's not
really true anymore. Norton, McAfee, and other companies often have
their software pre-installed on your computer. Some may take the
luck of the draw in what comes with their computer and just stick
with it and fail to keep it updated. That could be a dangerous
decision.
Programs like
Ad-Aware and
Spybot Search & Destroy for years have done some of the best
jobs in detecting infections other than viruses. Spybot Search &
Destroy has always offered their software for free (although feel
free to donate to their cause) while Ad-aware comes in both a free
and licensed version. Their free version is honestly very
adequate. Unfortunately these programs do not detect most viruses.
So what's a person to do?
You can also download free antivirus software such as AVG and
Avast Antivirus but do they really protect you well?
Free is always attractive but if you don't get the protection you
need, what's a person to do?
Hundreds of spyware and adware programs have hit the market over
the past couple years, each with great promises of detecting and
removing all of the malware on your machine. Some of these programs
are honestly and well written programs but they fail to be backed up
by constant research and updated detection databases which is
critical to you. Antivirus, spyware, and adware detection programs
are only as good as their updates and if they don't have a full-time
staff of experts doing research, their program is nothing but junk.
A common growing problem today is scam and junk programs will bait
you for your money. Programs such as Spy Axe, Spy Trooper, and Spy
Falcon only infect your machine with their own adware. Adware that
constantly nag you to death to purchase their software. You might
find a pop-up ad or notice in the system tray indicating spyware has
been detected on your computer. And you need to pay them $39.95 to
purchase their software to remove them.
Please do not waste your money!
So what's a person to do?
You can keep running the antivirus software that you have and
augment your protection with spyware and Adware detections programs
like Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. The only problem is that
unlike your antivirus program which is always running giving you
full-time protection, these programs only scan, detect, and remove
when you manually run them so they really are not protecting you.
They are merely useful cleaning tools.
Do you need to consider anything before
installing an antivirus or anti-spyware on your computer?
Absolutely! Whether it be Norton, McAfee, Panda, or some other
antivirus program, additional resources have had to be given to make
these programs run well on your machine. They have to work harder
today to protect you than in years past. As a result, these
programs have become memory hogs and adding more memory (RAM) is a
necessity. We recommend having at least 1 GB or RAM in your computer.
Otherwise you may have the best antivirus, spyware, and adware
program on the market today installed on your computer but you will
find that your computer runs at a snail's pace.
What can you do to avoid spyware, adware,
and virus infections in your computer?
Some people will tell you that you need to run antivirus software
to keep avoid infecting your computer. Absolutely that is true.
But really it begins with your own computer use habits. Most all
infections today are transmitted through the Internet although
floppy disk, cd's, etc.. can introduce these infections as well.
Iimproving your habits while on the net will go a
long way in preventing these infections from even knocking on your
computers door to begin with. You might want to keep in mind the
following useful tips:
- Most importantly, keep your computer up to date through
Windows
Update. And most Windows XP users should install Service
Pack 2 which is also available on Windows Update.
- Use a software firewall on your computer to keep the doors
on your network connection. A hardware firewall such as router
may keep someone out of your machine but they do nothing to keep
viruses, spyware, and adware, from connecting to computers
outside your machine. Windows XP includes a firewall program
and it is automatically enabled once you install XP Service Pack
2. Windows 98, ME, 2000, and others should consider installing
firewall software for protection.
- Be careful where you click. Just because you can doesn't
mean that you should. We all love to surf but you should know
the signs of a dangerous site. Generic looking sites with links
to search from Apples to Zebras can be direct links to spyware
and adware.
- Don't click on pop-up ads. Period! Some infections are
introduced into your computer the moment that you click. When
you close these pop-up ads there is only one correct choice, the
top right corner X. Common tactics to infect you can include a
bogus X just below the Windows X. You may also find a Close
button which can also infect your machine. And there is nothing
really wrong with advertising on the net, but these annoying
pop-up tactics to make a sale are only prolonged by your
clicking on them.
- Don't click on anything in spam, especially attachments.
Just delete it. If you are having a problem with spam you
should consider using
CloudMark
to regain your inbox.
- Don't download free screensavers, games, and other software
you don't already know to be free of infections. If you don't
know, do a little research such as a Google search on the
download. Are people saying what a great game it is or are they
saying how do you get rid of this blasted spyware?
- Don't use file sharing programs like Kazaa, Limewire, and
others. These programs do nothing but fill your computer up
with junk and leave doors wide open into your computer for
others to take advantage.