1. General Spyware Defense Paul Mirano

2. Spyware Detection in Popular Websites Cnet.com Softpedia.com Fileshack.com Fileplanet.com All of these websites advertise their products/software as “spyware free” They all indulge spyware as a threat.

3. General Steps to Prevention Make sure your computer has the latest operating system patches and security updates. Do not install unknown software. Do not click on suspicious links. Free games, file-sharing programs, and free screen savers & Junk mail—tricks the most users. Regularly update your spyware detection and removal programs. (once a week) Before downloading programs, browser toolbars, or an ActiveX application—check online and see if it’s a spyware or it can open vulnerabilities to your computer.

4. Detection and Removal Ad-Aware Spyware detection program. Scans your computer for spyware and attempts to remove them. ZoneAlarm Anti-virus program, firewall, and spyware detection program. Firewall blocks and informs the user about malicious programs attempting to access the internet.

5. Detection and Removal contd. Investigate in advance Know what you’re installing Lookup the best anti-virus or anti-spyware software that’s best for you. Consider the malicious code the software recognizes And try to find out how frequently they update the virus/spyware definitions. Limit the number of programs you install Many vendors today advertise their products incorporating both anti-virus and spyware protection. Most security suites even come with a firewall and process control software. Only need 1 anti-virus software and 1 spyware detection program Any more will only increase risk for problems Ccleaner Removes temporary internet files History Cookies Autocomplete Form history Clipboard Temporary files

6. Personal Perspective Installing anti-virus or anti-spyware programs can affect system performance—and installing the wrong kind can dramatically slow down your system and dramatically affect the effectiveness of the anti-virus or anti-spyware program. Standard Windows Firewall Knowledge is power. Know what I install in my system. Precaution Use preventive measures. Make information security top priority.