Spyware Prevention - Build a Layered Defense

Spyware Prevention is infinitely easier than spyware removal.  You'll want to start with a freshly cleaned computer if possible, then install the best prevention tools, and finally you'll want to learn how to practice safer Internet surfing.  Here's what to do:

Install Your Spyware Defense Layers

First the freebies:

Install Spybot, if you have not already done so.  Check for and install updates, and run the immunization routine.  Check for updates and re-run the immunization about every two weeks.

Install Ad-Aware, if you have not already done so.  Check for and install updates.  Check for updates and re-run the immunization about every two weeks.  Download the use the extra Ad-Aware plug-ins also available from Lavasoft.  You'll find their VX2 add-in cleaner extremely useful, should your PC get struck by this line of infections.

Install Spyware Blaster, if you have not already done so. Check for and install updates, and run the immunization routine.  Check for updates and re-run the immunization about once a month.  Spyware Blaster is so strong that might actually interfere with some of your legitimate internet activity.  Play with it, the decide to keep it or dump it, based on your own experiences with the product.  I chose to dump it, but only because it blocked some sites that I visit in the course of doing business.

The immunization processes of those 3 programs will block HUGE numbers of known spyware loaded sites.  The spyware scanning functions are ok, but they're no where near as strong as the following programs.

Upgraded Spyware Scanning and Prevention

To keep your computer safe and malware free, you'll need a much more powerful spyware scanning and removal tool, with an ACTIVE component to block spyware installations.  Either of these two choices will work well for you:

Spy Sweeper - This is our top recommendation for a spyware detection and removal product.  It's extremely effective, updated almost daily (!!!!), and it's relatively affordable (under $30).  Included in the price is FREE technical support to help remove anything Spy Sweeper can't clean automatically.  This is the paid solution we use on our own computers here at PillowPC.

Pest Patrol - Just a hair less effective than Spy Sweeper, Pest Patrol is made by computing giant Computer Associates (aka CA).  If you prefer a paid-solution from a larger well-known security organization, Pest Patrol is your answer.  These guys also have the distinction of having one the Net's best spyware informational websites (i.e. what program name is associated with what spyware program, etc), which they provide for free to the world.  Pest Patrol costs just under $30.  Pest Patrol is the anti-spyware solution used by EarthLink.

Both of the above products include an 'active component' which can detect and block spyware and adware in the instant it tries to load to your computer.  Spybot has a similar component, but it doesn't work very well...in fact, I've never actually seen it stop anything.

Better Anti-Virus Solutions are now available

I used to be a big fan of Symantec and Trend Micro's anti-virus products.  They worked reasonably well, they didn't bog down your system performance too badly, and they'd stop many virus problems before they could spread.  In early 2005 however, a new anti-virus product showed up that completely changed the way we should view anti-virus protection.

The new product comes from Panda Software, and is called Panda TruPrevent.  This anti-virus package is effective at eliminating viruses, trojans, worms, AND spyware...no anti-virus product has ever been effective at killing spyware before, and this one does it better than most dedicated anti-spyware products!  Furthermore, the detection engine is extremely effective at detecting brand-new, unreported malware infections, and can stop those dead in there tracks as well.

I said Panda TruPrevent was effective...how effective?  With no definition file loaded at all (the definition file is that thing you update every few weeks to keep your 'protection' up-to-date), an independent lab found that Panda's product stopped 98% (92 out of 93) of viruses, trojans, and worms thrown at it...the same viruses that have crippled Fortune 500 companies and computer users many times over the last 3 years, like Netsky, Sasser, and MyDoom. If you'd like to read the complete testing report, it can be found here.

We've all seen lots of claims from anti-virus vendors about how there products could detect and stop new virus outbreaks, and they've all pretty much been...um...unsubstantiated claims up to now.  If it were true, we wouldn't see viruses tearing through corporate networks one year after initial infection; but, we do!  Panda's anti-virus products actually live up to their claims, and that my friends is breathtaking and breakthrough scanning technology and protection.

For now, do yourself and your friends, and your business a favor:  Uninstall whatever you currently use for virus protection, and replace it with Panda TruPrevent anti-virus/anti-spyware software. 

Surf Safer

As much as I personally love Internet Explorer, it's just too open to spyware attacks to be your first choice as your primary internet browser.  Fortunately, there is an excellent alternative now available. 

Take a close look at Mozilla FireFox. FireFox builds-in several advanced web surfing features, provides built-in popup protection, and is completely immune to ActiveX controls (ActiveX can be used as an entry point for a large variety of spyware programs). 

FireFox is also one of the fastest page-loading browsers around (much faster than good ol' Internet Explorer).  There are a few things FireFox can't do (for instance, it can't be used to run a Windows or Office Update), but for 95% of your web surfing, you'll enjoy the same experience, and surf much more safely, by using FireFox.  It's easy to install, even easier to use, and it's 100% free!  And yes, all your IE Favorites can be transferred to FireFox as part of the normal installation process, if you wish.

Also, considering following a few simple rules, when you putter around the internet:

• Never click an Ad in a popup window.  Either close the window or use Task Manager to close all browsers.
• Never click an Ad on an adult site.
• Be picky about your downloads from free software sites...read reviews for spyware and adware alerts.
• Assume the Internet is a real-life bad neighborhood (because it is!).  Proceed accordingly.  Stop and think, before you click.

FireFox is great way to enjoy the Internet, and a great way to add an extra defensive layer between you and the nastier-side of the Internet.

Contact Information

We'd love to hear from you!  To arrange a service appointment or consultation in the Brentwood CA Area, please call us at the number below. 

Our computer service area includes Brentwood, Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron and other cities within 35 miles of Brentwood, CA.

Telephone

925-584-6951

 

Postal address

308 Pebble Beach Dr.  Brentwood, CA 94513

 

Electronic mail

General Information: smartguys@pillowpc.com

Webmaster: webmaster@pillowpc.com