If you don’t want to spend $80 – $100 on security software for a new computer, users may consider purchasing a Macintosh or Linux system to ensure safety against online threats such as viruses and spyware.
If you continue to use the Windows operating system, customers can simply avoid opening attachments and browse the web using Firefox or Opera instead of Internet Explorer.
Everyone should also refrain from downloading and installing games, toolbars, and other free software unless they are sure they are safe.
However, if users still wish to use Windows along with Internet Explorer, they can install some very useful free protection programs.
AVG software helps block spyware—secret programs that infiltrate PC systems without users’ knowledge, often while downloading toolbars, games, videos, adult content, and even unverified children’s programs. In fact, many harmful codes can sneak into computers through “anti-spyware” tools that are distributed via spam.
Spyware will monitor and record all user information, including the websites they visit, online shopping habits, rummaging through hardware to see what programs they have, saving and spreading account numbers and passwords, leading users to adult websites, displaying pop-up ads with annoying advertisements, and dialing long-distance numbers on their modem… Additionally, spyware can slow down PCs and cause frequent errors.
Alongside AVG, users can install the Ad-Aware Personal version from http://lavasoft.com (on the left, in the Products section). With a dial-up connection, the program will require about 10 minutes to download to your computer.
Users should also install additional supportive software for Ad-Aware, notably Spybot. When even these programs are powerless against spyware, individuals will need to seek assistance from cybersecurity experts.
