Chicago Web Design- Spyware and Virus Protection

"Spyware and Virus Protection" was written without any paid ads for everyone to use freely to fight spyware and virus abuse.

There are no paid promotions listed here! As a matter of fact, at the time of this writing, everything recommended is 100% free to use 100% of the time!

*Please take the time to read this information and share it with others.

Spyware and virus protection is critical if you are going to be online for any period of time. Many statistics state that approximately one out of every four individuals has been a victim of identity theft. This happens often from spyware taking your information from your computer without your knowledge or permission. All too often an unknown virus can open the door for hackers to steal your private information and do irreparable damage to your computer and your credit!

Be sure to read the rest of this article for important info about how to use the following tools as well as knowing dangerous habits to avoid getting spyware and viruses on your computer!

Free Spyware and Virus Protection tools

Firefox Browser- Firefox does not allow any advertisements that are placed in your computer, unlike almost every other browsers, slowing down your computer and taking up precious space on your hard drive. Also, when you download any pictures or files with Firefox it will warn you if the name of the file does not line up with what it actually is, protecting you from unknowingly downloading spyware or a virus on your computer.

It is highly recommended as a standard browser by most programmers and software writers AND it is 100% free.

Clam Win Anti-Virus- There are several paid anti-virus software that are decent. ClamWin is rated higher by many and is 100% free. They offer free updates and are very effective in fighting spyware and virus intrusions.

Zone Alarm Firewall- Even if you are rarely online, you absolutely NEED a firewall! The whole purpose of a firewall is to stop intruders from getting into your computer without your knowledge as well as stopping them from installing spyware and or viruses on your computer.

Zone Alarm is free and extremely effective. Not only will it stop intruders, it will identify them for you, so that you will know who is trying to access your computer!

Spybot Spyware Remover- This should be run weekly and updated along with Ad Aware Spyware Remover (next). The combination of these two free spyware removers, should block most of the malicious spyware sent out to hurt your computer and steal information.

Ad Aware Spyware Remover- Like Spybot, this is a very effective tool in fighting spyware and viruses from getting your information and damaging your computer. Run alone, you can effectively stop 80% of the spyware online, but with Spybot, your computer should be protected from 99%!

How to use Spyware and Virus Protection effectively

Firefox- Simply put, don't surf with any other browser. When you log onto the internet, click on the icon for Firefox and be sure to read the warnings that pop-up when you are downloading attachments. If the size, name or type of file don't line up, DON'T OPEN IT!

Even if it is from a trusted friend, their computer may be infected and someone else may have sent you a virus or spyware disguised to look like it came from your friend!

It happens, don't take the chance!

ClamWin, Spybot and Ad Aware should be run weekly as a minimum. Before you scan your computer for a virus or spyware, be sure to click on "Updates"!

Unfortunately, the people that create spyware and viruses come up with new variations daily, so stay up to date and you will be protected.

Zone Alarm will warn you every time someone try's to access your computer and should simply be dealt with on an individual basis. In other words, if you are downloading a picture from mom and Zone Alarm says someone is trying to access your computer, should you allow or deny it, be sure it is mom!

Final tips for Spyware and Virus Protection

NEVER, EVER, EVER...

Give your password out or use something easy to guess. The simplest way to create good passwords are to misspell a word you will remember, add a capital letter in an odd place and add a number you won't forget.

For example, if your old password is "password" it would be much more secure if it were "pasSwurd316".

Save your password on your computer in plain English. In other words, you should have it written down in a safe place and in an email account. Otherwise, a hacker can get all of your passwords and access your accounts, not to mention mess with your credit!

Stay online when you're not at your computer! (Especially overnight!) This gives hackers way too much time to get in your computer and do tons of damage.

Go a day without backing up your work to an outside source (a CD or DVD or external hard-drive) as well as on an external server, like an email account. This is important in case of a fire, break in, etc. Be sure to keep the CD's for your operating system (windows, etc.) as well as all of your software. If you happen to be part of an extremely small percentage of people that actually follow all of the above steps and still get a virus or spyware on your computer that you cannot get rid of, backing everything up will make the "clean up" process much, much less painful and less expensive as well.

Odds are, though, if you follow these steps, you will never have a problem with spyware or viruses. =)

God Bless!

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