How did I get infected with a Spyware?

There are numerous ways how you might end up with having a Spyware on your system.

- When you download and install programs, games, smilies, pictures, screensavers from dubious sites, there is a big chance that you might install a sneaky Spyware along way.

- Some websites and pop-up windows try to download and install Spyware while you are there. According a recent analysis of sex-based websites, up to 80 percent of these sites are now being used to upload Spyware, worms and Trojans to unsuspecting visitors.

- Some add-ons to you browser that is supposed to enhance your browser experience may secretively install Spyware.

- The most cynical method of infecting you with Spyware is when you receive a sudden pop-up ad, which claims that your computer is contaminated and you have to run certain program to cure your system. If you are credulous enough to run this program, it just installs a Spyware instead of eliminating any.

How to fight back?

If you carefully follow instructions outlined below, your chances of getting infected with Spyware are pretty slim.

Update your Windows Allow your version of Windows to update it automatically. Ensure that you have all latest security patches installed.

Use Firefox as your default browser Since Internet Explorer is main target for many Spyware, you will be better of with Mozilla Firefox. Moreover, it is a better browser than IE in many aspects.

Be extremely careful with your downloads Try not to download anything from a unknown site. If you still feel like getting a shareware or freeware program check it out on one of these online Spyware database. Spychecker (http://www.spychecker.com/) is one such service, and Camtech 2000's Spy Chaser (http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpyChaser.html) is a nifty downloadable database of nearly 1000 spyware-infested programs.

Use an Anti-Spyware application Download and install one of following anti-spyware programs: Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/), Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html) and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Although, Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware

(http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx) is still at beta stage, I am using it and very happy with its performance.

Get a Firewall If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you are probably fine! In other cases, if your computer is connected to Internet directly you should get a firewall and install it. Zone alarm

(http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp) is a great firewall you can download for free.

A recently conducted survey of Top Network Security threats in 2005 reveals that two-thirds of IT managers and administrators believe that Spyware will be number one threat to network security. So don’t take any chance! Make sure that you are protected!