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What is a Virus?
A virus is a computer program that installs itself
on your computer without your knowledge. It also
replicates itself and spreads by many different
mechanisms. It can come from e-mail, a disk, or over
a network. Some viruses are harmless while others
are virulent and destructive. There are several
really good antivirus programs available. We
recommend
Norton Antivirus 2008, it also includes
SpyWare/Adware removal and detection. Visit the
following link for more details:
http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=is&pvid=nav2008
On corporate networks we recommend Norton Antivirus
Small Business Edition.
Your data is at great risk if you operate your
computer without adequate virus protection!
Computer viruses and Spyware/Adware have become
rampant. Protecting your computer is crucial. While
it may cost you to install protection on your
system, it is much more costly to lose all your
data. So the old saying "An ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure." comes to mind. It is
important to protect your computer before you
become infected. Removing most viruses is
frustrating and time consuming. Most of the time it
is just impossible to get your PC exactly the way it
was before the virus.
You must adopt safer web surfing habits!
Virus protection alone can't protect you from Adware
and SpyWare. You must change your internet habits.
Don't download free software, consider it all
suspect. Don't download music and file sharing
software from the web. These companies don't care
about your computer, your data, or the mess you will
have to clean up. If you read the End User License
Agreement for the free software, you must accept any
effect the software has on your computer without
question. Be wary and very careful!
What is SpyWare?
SpyWare are programs that are carried as a payload
from free software, or games that you download from
the web. However, these programs make your system
slow and vulnerable by doing things without your
knowledge. SpyWare can steal information from your
computer such as credit card numbers, email
addresses, web-surfing habits, and much more.
What is AdWare?
AdWare is very similar to SpyWare but its purpose is
to advertise or promote. Adware will add pop-up
windows and modify your browser and operating
system. This is extremely annoying and can slow your
computer to a crawl.
How did I get SpyWare/AdWare?
Free programs are usually laced with SpyWare and
Adware. Many are loaded when you visit a website.
You don't have to install it, because it installs
itself as soon as you visit the web site.
Most people have literally dozens of SpyWare/Adware
variations loaded on their computer and don't know
it's there.
Removing Spyware and Adware
When your system has been penetrated by viruses,
adware, or spyware, it may be too late to install
protection. You should install protection on a
"clean" or freshly installed operating system.
Trying to install any kind of antivirus or
adware/spyware protection may be futile if the
system is already infected. The viruses and
spyware will fight you to the bitter end like a
demon sprayed with holy water. So backup your
important files, format your hard drive, and
reinstall your operating system. Follow this up by
immediately installing your AV protection and then
do all antivirus updates and service packs and
updates. It will be very hard for the system to be
compromised if you follow those guidelines.
Microsoft provides a free program called Windows
Defender it can be found at the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
We have found that the Microsoft Windows
Defender is a great program to prevent adware and
spyware infection. Who knows more about repairing
the windows registry than Microsoft? One of the best
tools for removing these threats is Spybot Search &
Destroy. You can download it at the following link:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Or you can try AVG Anti Spyware from the following
link:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-spyware-free
These packages provide an effective protection and
have updates via the web. There are other spyware
adware removal packages but we believe these are
some of the better ones and they are both free. You
can donate money for SpyBot or purchase the full
version of AVG.
Use a combination of tools to prevent infection from
adware and spyware threats.
We like to use a combination of tools. We have found
that these tools work very well:
1.
Microsoft Windows Defender
2.
Spybot Search & Destroy
3.
AVG Anti Spyware
4.
Norton AntiVirus 2007
Overview
Viruses, Spyware & Adware programs compromise your
computer security.
They open "backdoors" that other viruses and bugs
use to get into your system. Don't download free
software if you don't know for sure that it is safe.
Be vigilant as a lot of these programs pose as
helpful utilities, when in fact they are parasitic
performance killers in disguise.
Chuck Hanner –Hanner Computer Services
 
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