Spyware - Prevent Spyware From Entering Your System

Spyware is the broader term referring to malicious programs that install themselves on a user's PC- usually without consent or warning - and either damage the computer maliciously (Malware), produce pop up ads based on the user's internet usage (AdWare) or both.

Spyware is usually installed through internet websites, or through downloaded software, and can hi-jack your browser, redirect you to an affiliated site, imbed itself in your Operating System (Windows) or various other tactics which can slow down performance of your computer or even end up in severe damage to your hard drive. For these many reasons, it's easy to see that both Spyware prevention and Spyware removal is very important to ensuring a healthy PC experience.

There are a number of ways to prevent Spyware from entering your system, and as they say : Prevention is better than cure. Firstly, be careful when you are surfing the internet - stay away from questionable websites, and also ensure that you know all of the fine print in what it is you may be downloading. Secondly, ensure that a secure firewall is in place. This prevents anyone from accessing your network or computer.

Windows also has built-in firewall software which should be set to 'on' at all times, especially if you are accessing different networks with your laptop. Next, ensure that Windows (or the operating system that you use) is regularly updated, as well as your internet browser. This will ensure that 'holes' in the system are regularly patched up, and can't be taken advantage of.

Lastly, many Spyware removal tools and software also come with 'real-time protection' which means that the software immediately alerts you when something suspicious is trying to install itself onto your hard drive, and will prevent security breaches from happening. Windows VISTA comes with Microsoft's version of this, called Windows Defender.

If you do manage to contract spyware, you need anti-spyware software to remove it. These scan your system, detect anything out of the ordinary and delete it. Many anti-virus programs are including anti-spyware tools in their software, but software devoted to anti-spyware is still better. Of these, the most popular are Ad-Aware and Spybot.

Anti-spyware does require you to keep the software regularly updated (at no extra cost) so that new Spyware can be easily traced by the anti-spyware. Spyware is constantly changing, and the tools to prevent or remove it need to be up to date to work at their optimum.

Some Spyware, though, is incredibly hard to get rid of (such as CoolWebSearch, among others) and therefore a program such as Hi-Jack This! is very useful. What Hi-Jack This! does is provide a very detailed log of your system and registry files. Pasting this log (it does not show anything that could breach your security) onto a public forum such as Geeks to Go or MajorGeeks.com allows for technicians and professionals to see what's wrong with your computer and provide the solution for you to carry out. They can be incredibly helpful!

So, if you are looking for a Spyware remover, these are the best things to look out for : software that is well supported by its manufacturer, software that uses real-time protection, software that scans your entire system, and software that will work best with your operating system.