Combating
Spy Ware
(source: Onguardonline.gov)

You’ve probably heard that identity theft is on the rise, but did you know that you could become a victim of identity theft through software on your computer….software that you didn’t know about, and never wanted to have installed in the first place? Such malicious software is known as spyware. 

 Spy ware is software that is installed on your computer without your knowledge.  It is used to gather information about you, and/or to monitor or control your computer usage.   

How do you know if there is spyware lurking on your computer? 

You might have Spy ware on your computer if:  

• Your computer has slowed down dramatically, especially when saving files or opening programs.

• Your home page changes on its own

• A toolbar that you didn’t want appears on your web browser

• Icons show up on your computer for software you don’t know about

• Certain keys on your keyboard stop working, or perform a different function suddenly

• A lot of pop-up ads suddenly start appearing on your computer

• Your web browser keeps taking you to sites that you didn’t want to go to, and you’re not sure how it happened.

 Do you think you might have a problem? 

What to do to fix a Spy ware problem: 

 *Get an anti-spyware program installed on your computer.  (Be sure it’s from a source you know and trust, though….some spyware actually masquerades as spyware removal software. )

We recommend one of the following:

Premium Programs:

Free Program:

*After installing one of these programs, be sure to set it up to scan your computer regularly, and allow it to remove any programs that it tells you are probably spyware (assuming it isn't a program that you want to use.) 

 How can you avoid getting Spyware on your computer? 

• Make sure your web browser is up to date with the latest security patches, and that you have it set to at least a medium (if not high) security setting.
• Be careful when installing any software online.  Even if it’s free, be sure that you can trust the source.  One important clue: Did you go to their site and initiate the software request?  Or did they come to you (through email, popups, etc.)  Of course, it’s safer if you went to a trusted source. 
• Don’t ever click on a link in a pop-up window
• Use a firewall.  We recommend a hardware firewall device to help keep your computer the most safe, without slowing down your computer.  However, some people still prefer the software kind of firewall programs, and there are a few we can recommend if that is your preference.  Some even recommend using both, to get the most possible protection.  (If you're not sure which might be best for you, contact our tech support staff for advice   or see this helpful article for advice.)
• Here are firewalls that we recommend:***  

• Hardware firewalls:

  *Cisco Pix firewall,

  *SonicWall firewall

  Software firewalls:

  *Norton firewall *McAfee firewall

  ***You can purchase these firewall products at one of the links below:

  Or you can go to our online shopping mall - click here for the mall.  Then,  select the "Electronics" tab at the top of the page and choose either Tech Depot or Circuit City (or the merchant of your choice.)

 For more information and links, go to: http://onguardonline.gov/spyware.html