Five Ways to Combat Spyware

If you want to ensure the performance of your computer comes to a screeching halt, all you have to do is ignore this column and within days your computer can become infected with some type of malware. Spyware and Viruses are often lumped into the category of malware, because there almost isn’t a true distinction between them anymore. Spyware has virus-like behavior and the next generation viruses seem to be more content with sitting quietly on your PC and recording your every move. This is why we have put together some easy techniques to help your PC fight the war on malware.

Keep Windows Updated
Simply keeping Windows updated is the first step in making sure your PC is protected. There are exploits announced all of the time with Windows Operating System or applications that run on the platform. When these exploits are patched, hackers immediately begin trying to exploit that hole because they know a large majority of users do not keeps their systems updated. Be sure to visit Microsoft Update and set your PC up for automatic updates.

Use a Firewall
A firewall can be software or hardware. When we think of a software firewall, we use the default Windows firewall. XP SP2 and Vista have the firewall turned on by default. If you have turned it off or if you run an older Operating System, you can always download a free firewall and run that on your system. ZoneAlarm is a proven software firewall choice. If you have broadband, chances are you have a router in your home or office. If so, this is considered a hardware firewall. A router looks at packets and can make the determination if they are meant for a computer on your internal network or not. If it’s just random scanning from a hacker, the router drops the packets and the attack ends there.

Modify Your Hosts File
Your hosts file is a file on your computer that your PC refers to before going out on the Internet to search DNS servers for a website. For instance, when you type in http://pctechbytestoday.com your PC first consults the hosts file for an IP address for that website’s server. When it doesn’t get one, it goes out on the Internet and searches DNS servers for a server IP. So how does this help us in the war against malware? Well, there are known lists of bad sites you can populate your hosts file with and this will help prevent your PC from even going to those sites. Read our previous article on the host file for more details and tips.

Use an Antivirus
Running an Antivirus that scans frequently and monitors your computer is essential if your PC is connected to the Internet. Because viruses use exploits in web browsers, simply going to a website that runs an exploit can get your PC infected. Newer antivirus programs also watch your email for viruses and phishing scams.

Run Anti-Spyware Program
In addition to running an antivirus, you should also run an anti-spyware program such as Spybot Search and Destroy. This program has a feature that can help immunize your PC by modifying the hosts file automatically for you and preventing your PC from ever going to known malicious websites. Having a good anti-spyware program monitor your PC in real time can prevent spyware from ever being installed on your computer.

Once you have viruses or spyware, you might want to consider wiping the hard drive and reinstalling. That is the only real way to ensure your PC free of infection. And as we discussed above, keep you Operating System and software up to date. Taking these few simple steps is a great preventive measure against malware, but that doesn’t mean you are immune. Being careful where you go or what you download on the Internet is the best tool in the fight against spyware and viruses.