Spyware

Computer Slowing Down - Get Rid of Spy ware and Speed It Up

What exactly is Spy ware and how can I guard against it? 

Not too long ago my daughter asked me to take a look at her computer. She complained that it was very slow.  As I perused her computer I found a couple of spy ware files running. These files are designed to gather information about your web surfing habits and send it back to its point of origin.  

Among other things these kinds of tiny programs are designed to track your surfing habits and send that information to its point of origin.  This information is used to determine what kind of advertising pop-ups should be coming to your computer.
 

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Ad-aware - http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045910.html  
Run this program on your computer,  its FREE.

Anyway... I went to www.downloads.com and searched for this application called "ad-aware" .  This application searches your computer for any spy ware applications and will allow you to remove them.  I found 204 such components on my daughters computer.  Once removed, all was back to normal.  Here is the direct link to the ad-aware application. If it doesn't work simply search for it.    [ top ]
 

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Spybot - Search & Destroy  - http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1
Run this program on you computer as well.

Along with ad-aware above I also run this other free software that helps to keep my computer running nicely.  Download this program and running it on your computer once a month or more often if you're like me.  It will search out and remove harmful stuff from your computer.

Run Ad-aware and Spybot monthly for a smooth running system
( It works and its' FREE )
Ad-aware and Spybot are applications that compliment your Antivirus Software

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Win Patrol

Sometime bad spy ware will get through and attempt  to ruin your system.  Well it can't do that if you have Win Patrol running.  This application loads up and runs in your PC in the background.  It  will pop a dialogue window asking you to allow or disallow a change to your computer that is being attempted by some rogue application.  This is also FREE and can be found at:  http://www.winpatrol.com/

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Second Copy

I use second copy to keep backups of my important files.  It works great, saving to CD, DVD, hard drive on a automated or manual basis.  Download the trial and check it out.  http://www.centered.com/

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Special Symbols 

Special Keys using ALT plus digits from numeric pad (not top row of keyboard). Example: Hold ALT Key down, type 4 digit code, Release ALT Key.

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Best Review Sites

Review sites for hardware and software are one of the best ways to help in the decision process before making that purchase.  Even if you're able to get a trial copy of a software you really don't know how it would compare to other competitive products.

• Top 10 Reviews - http://www.toptenreviews.com
  One of my first stops when looking for software.