10 Free Programs You Should Download to Protect Yourself From Spyware, Computer Viruses and Keep Your Computer Safe

For this article, I decided to create a list of 10 free programs you can download to keep your computer secure. This list of programs will help you protect your computer from Viruses, Spyware, and hackers. All of the programs listed here are highly recommended, and like I said, all have a free version available.

I should note though that many websites that carry articles do not allow more then a couple links in the main body of the article. Because of this, I am unable to include download links for each program. However, if you do a search for them on Google, you can find where to download them. Alternatively, you can visit my website where I have uploaded this article and included links inside the article to download each program. The web address is listed in my author info.

Anyway, let's get to the list of 10 programs you should download to protect yourself from Spyware and Computer Viruses and keep your computer safe.

Ad-Aware

Ad-Aware is one of the oldest Anti-Spyware programs available and also one of the best. Ad-Aware has been around for over ten years now. Over the ten years, Ad-Aware has been a top notch program and it doesn't look to be changing anytime soon. If you do not have Ad-Aware protecting your system, then I highly recommend you download it right now.

AVG Anti-virus

With McAfee and Norton on the market, many people are under the impression that you will have to pay money for virus protection. This is wrong! There are free anti-virus solutions available and AVG is one of the best. AVG has all of the usual features and it's highly recommended that you download AVG Anti-Virus if you don't already have a virus scanner.

Hijack This!

Hijack This! can be a great program for helping you get rid of some tricky Spyware. Beware though, you really need to know what you are doing when you are using Hijack This!. Hijack This! isn't for beginners. However, it's worth downloading and keeping around so if you ever do have a tricky spyware problem, an expert online can help you use Hijack This! to get rid of it. Because honestly, most experts online are going to ask you to download Hijack This!.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is newer then some of the other anti-Spyware products, but don't let that discourage you. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great tool for protecting yourself against spyware. Like Ad-Aware, it can do a complete scan of your computer and most spyware problems you are having you can say goodbye to thanks to this program.

Spybot Search & Destroy

Spybot Search & Destroy reminds me of Ad-Aware, it has been around a long time and has stood the test of time. Spybot Search & Destroy may not be as pretty as some of the other anti-spyware programs, but that's okay because Spybot Search & Destroy means business. Spybot Search & Destroy should have all of the tools you need to protect you from Spyware even if you don't download any other program listed here.

SpywareBlaster

What can I say about SpywareBlaster? SpywareBlaster is a really cool program. SpywareBlaster isn't a scanner, instead, it's purpose is to prevent Spyware from getting onto your system in the first place. SpywareBlaster has a database of thousands of harmful Active X Plug-ins that it blocks. Just download SpywareBlaster, install it, click to enable the protection, and that's it. SpywareBlaster doesn't even need to be running all the time. A very useful program that should be included in your list of programs you use to protect your computer.

SpywareGuard

SpywareGuard is simlar to SpywareBlaster, it tries to prevent Spyware from getting onto your system. However, SpywareGuard works in a different way. SpywareGuard works by monitoring your computer for typical Spyware-like behavior. If SpywareGuard spots anything, it will alert you. The downside to this is that you need to keep SpywareGuard open for it to work. On the plus side though, it means SpywareGuard doesn't need to be constantly updated, since it doesn't rely on definition files.

Startup Inspector

Startup Inspector is a program used for monitoring and disabling items that run when you turn on the computer. So how does that relate to this list? Well Startup Inspector can really be handy in fighting Spyware because a lot of Spyware programs will be set to run when you turn on the computer. Before you turn off the computer each night, take a quick look at Startup Inspector and see what is set to run when you turn on the computer next time. See anything suspicious? If so, go ahead and run a scan with another program listed here. But remember, you first noticed something suspicious thanks to Startup Inspector. This is why I included it in this list. :)

Update Windows

Okay, guess what? I lied. This isn't even a software program. Regardless though, this has to be included in this list. One of the biggest ways your computer can be attacked is through security holes that were left open from not updating your operating system. Do your computer a favor and go online to WindowsUpdate and update your computer right away.

ZoneAlarm

Finally, we come to ZoneAlarm. ZoneAlarm is a firewall and will monitor all ingoing and outgoing connections on your computer. This is very useful for keeping your computer safe, because Zonealarm will block unauthorized connections to your computer. Basically, ZoneAlarm stops hackers. Great software!

In all honesty, if you don't want to try all of these programs, even just download one or two. Having one or two of these can still make a big difference with your computer. It can be scary with so much Spyware and Viruses on the internet. But now, you have the information you need to stay protected. Good luck

Source:
You can find links to the programs listed in this article on his website at: EasyTechReviews.com - Registry Cleaner Reviews, Software Reviews, Articles, Tips, And More!

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Five Signs Your Computer May Have A Spyware Infection

These days, spyware is everywhere. As Anti-Spyware programs get stronger, spyware continues to become trickier. Because of this, in my opinion, you simply cannot rely on running a spyware scanner to tell you if you have a spyware infection or not. You need to be able to notice other signs that you may have a spyware infection. Because let's face it, unless you have some type of spyware guard that runs 24/7, it's possible you will get an infection between scans with whichever spyware scanner you use. And if you go weeks between scans, the spyware could really harm your computer.

Now, just because you may notice one of these signs doesn't mean for sure that your computer has a spyware infection. It is still possible it doesn't. However, in my opinion, noticing any of these signs is enough reason to run a scan as soon as possible. Anyway, let's get right to the signs. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. IExplore.Exe

Try looking at the list of running processes on your computer. (Ctrl+Alt+Del - Processes (On Windows Xp) ). Do you see IExplore.Exe running? Well, if you are viewing this article in Internet Explorer or have Internet Explorer open in the background, then you shouldn't worry about seeing IEXplore.EXE in your process list. However, if you close out of Internet Explorer or you restart the computer and IEXplore.Exe or IEXplorer.exe is running when you clearly don't have Internet Explorer running, then this is a sign that you may be infected with Spyware. Many types of Spyware and Virus will run as IExplore.exe in the process list to confuse you with Internet Explorer. I have seen this happen many times when fixing computers.

2. Unexplainable Pop-Ups?

Pop-Ups can still be a problem for some internet users who don't use pop-up blockers. It can be common to go to websites and experience many pop-ups. However, if you are getting pop-up windows at times that you don't think you should be any, that may be a sign of an infection. This could be when you aren't surfing the web, when you first turn on the computer, etc. If you are experiencing this, run a scan!


3. Infection Warnings?

Are you receiving numerous warnings of an infection on your computer? If so, the warnings may be the infection in itself! Spyware programs displaying fake warnings to get you to download more spyware is becoming a lot more common these days. Many times they will use pop up boxes from your windows tray to warn you. They do this because these boxes look legitamate and look like they come from Windows. They don't! I can't think of a scenario where you would get any type of box like that unless it is from a
spyware scanner you already use. Even if you feel this box may be from your scanner, play it safe and don't click the box. Just open up your scanner regularly and do a scan.


4. Start-Up Items

Another quick way to look for a possible infection is to look at a list of items set to run on startup. Now, you can do this without downloading any programs. But I recommend downloading a program like StartUp Manager that will easily show you a list of what is running at startup.

Anyway, look at the list of items running at startup. Has anything been added since the last time you checked what is running at startup? If there are new items and you don't recognize them, this may be a sign of a spyware infection that is set to run when you turn your computer on.


5. Different Browser Home Page?

And finally, if you open your internet browser and your homepage has changed, this is definitely a sign that you may have a spyware infection. Changing your browser homepage is one of the oldest tricks in the book for a Spyware Infection. If your homepage has changed and you didn't change it, run a scan!


If you remember to look for these signs, you just may spot a spyware infection before you find out from your spyware scanner. Remember though, before running a spyware scan, ALWAYS update it first!

Stay safe!

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Computer Security and Maintenance

Now-a-days most people know that how can use computer and use of the Internet, But many people do not know that how they can keep their computer securer and how to maintain it's performance. To keep your computer secure and how it running soothly, you should know some basic maintenance things like cleaning up hard drive, basic knowledge about security indication errors, how to perform updates, how to protect computer against viruses and spywares etc. Let us talk about some general things, which is very important to computer security and Maintenance.

As far as computer Security concern if you can understand these below mentioned keys then you defiantly can prevent your computer against viruses.

Use Firewalls: Firewall can keep your computer secure when you browse the Internet. Firewall protect you computer to remote hacking. It secure your all sharing resources. You can say a Firewall as a barrier that checks all network connection, which is connect your computer. So always enable your firewall protection. > To enable the Firewall. Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Security and Firewall

Antivirus softwares: Always use good antivirs software and scan your computer at least once in a week. You should update your antivirus regularly basis. If you dont have, you should get it right away. Here are some good antivirus software listed according to their related web site:

Norton AntiVirus http://www.symantec.com
AVG AntiVirus http://www.grisoft.com
McAfee AntiVirus http://www.mcafee.com
PC-cillin http://www.trendmicro.com
Spyware protection: Spywares is more dangerous rather then viruses. It can stolen your email passwords, credit card number, your personal information, it can make your computer performance slow as well. Some good antispywares are:

Spy Sweeper
Counter Spy
Spyware Doctor
SuperAntispyware professional
Ad-Aware
Now take some discussion about computer maintenance. A well maintained computer runs fast and working smoothly without getting any error. There are some simple and useful steps to keep your computer well maintained.

Check Disk and Defragmentation: These two Disk utility is very useful. With the help of Check Disk you can recover your hard drive bad sector and logical error, which improve your hard disk working performance. And other hand Disk Defragmentation utility rearrange all data of Hard Drive, which gives you fast file searching while using computer. >To Perform a full disc clean up. Go to Start> Accessories> System Tools> Disc Clean Up >To Perform a full defrag. Go to Start> Accessories> System Tools > Disc Defragmenter.

Disk cleaning: This is very important. Clean your hard disk every week. For cleaning you can delete files form "temp" folder, Internet temprory folder, Recycle bin etc. You can uninstall those programe which not use often and you can remove any toolbar of Internet browser.> To clean Internet temporary files. Open Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Option > In General Tab press 'Delete temporary files' button.

About the Author:
Joseph John is a technical expert with iYogi. iYogi on 1-800-237-3901 provides computer help, computer repair, computer support, Microsoft support, dell support, computer repair etc. It is the winner of Red Herring Top 100 Award and helps millions of busy customers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore through their Microsoft certified technicians.

For more information visit: http://www.iyogi.net

Author: Joshep John

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Is Your Computer Safe from Spyware

Spyware is the virtual plague of the new Millenium. You no longer have to receive emails with viruses in them or even click on dangerous links on websites. Simply surfing the web can now leave you wide open to the scourge of spyware. You may also hear spyware referred to as malware.

What is spyware?
Spyware is when a program is placed on your PC without your consent. The most common way for this to happen is when you install a separate application such as a file sharing program or free download utility on your computer. The program you install also places some "extra" programs on your PC. These extra programs perform tasks from recording what websites you visit to popping up ads on your screen. More worrying are the spyware programs that record everything you type on your keyboard. That's right. Your most private instant messages, emails and chat room discussions can easily be stored and transmitted without your approval. Scary stuff!

Are there different types of spyware?
There are many different classifications of spyware but the following are the most dangerous types:

Adware
The most common type of spyware. These are small programs which sit on your computer waiting for you to go online. Once the adware detects that you're connected to the Internet it starts sending you popup, popover and popunder ads for anything from airline tickets to porn site membership. Not only that but information on your viewing habits is then sold on to marketing companies who will then send you more junk email and popup ads than you ever thought possible.

Browser Hijacker
These are just plain annoying. These install themselves on your computer and change your default homepage and search engine to something else. Every time you start your web browser it will bring you to a page filled with ads, porn or other unwanted material. This interrupts your web browsing and is intensely annoying. Most browser hijackers are also data miners. A data mining program reports your web browsing habits to a central database. This information is then sold on to marketing companies.

Keyboard Logger
These programs are designed for one thing - theft. When you log in to your online banking these can record your PIN number. When you check your private email account these programs can record your password. Keyboard loggers are potentially one of the most damaging pieces of spyware because of the potential financial dangers and theft of personal information.

Modem Hijacker
Potentially the most costly spyware. Modem hijackers are also referred to as diallers. Diallers normally install themselves to your computer via a virus infection or from warez, mp3 or adult websites. A dialler is a small piece of software that will dial long distance, premium rate phone numbers when you're not at your PC. These phone numbers are normally for adult chat line services located in Russia, China, South America and the Phillipines. I have personally seen unlucky victims receive $2,000 bills for one month of telephone calls.

How do you remove spyware from your PC?
Thankfully several responsible companies have made it their mission to help eradicate the menace of spyware. You'll need 2 - 3 programs to remove spyware from your PC. The first of these is Ad Aware which is a free download. The second application is Spybot Search and Destroy which is also a free download. Last but not least I'd recommend also getting yourself a copy of CrapCleaner 1.0. These applications can only remove the spyware already on your PC - they cannot protect your PC from being cluttered with new spyware.

How do you stop spyware infecting your PC?
1. Do not click on links offering free movies, competitions, prize draws, free software or anything that looks suspicious. If it looks like a dog, smells like a dog and walks like a dog... well it's a dog.

2. Install firewall software. This is absolutely critical for Broadband or Highspeed users. All computers connected to the Internet today should have firewall software installed - regardless of your connection speed.

3. Make sure your antivirus software is updated. Good antivirus software can find and delete the most harmful types of spyware.

Author: Geeta

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