1. Beware of pop-up ads that ask you to "click here." Just clicking on a link embedded in an ad can trigger a spyware download and installation, a delivery method known as a "drive by".
Thanks for the warning, but before I could read this a big nasty pop up for some kind of survey apeared , forcing me to make a decision before I could even reaad the first line or two of this article.
2. Bump your browser's default security settings from "medium" to "high" or higher. This way you'll receive an alert any time you're about to download something, which will give you a chance to back out before the damage is done. In Internet Explorer, select Tools from the top menu; under Internet Options, choose Security, then Custom Level.
Only applies to the internet explorer, the worlds buggiest, most virus and parasite prone browser. Ever notice how "STOP USING THE INTERNET EXPLORER" never makes it onto this kind of list ? It didn't make on this one either. (oh yeah ,please click on getfirefox.com )
4. Many free downloads are aimed at kids, so if you have some, consider making this a rule of the house: no downloads without your approval.
When was the last time your kid actually did as you told him / her to ? I know my sisters kids don't !
5. If you are asked to fill out a form in order to get that screensaver or play that game, know that in doing so, you are probably adding yourself to a spam list. Consider creating a second email account (there are many free Web-based services to choose from) and put that address on these forms to deflect unwanted email from your primary account. This is also helpful if you are an avid online shopper.
Odd. "Don't download freebies" and "Don't shop online...go to a reputable store" didn't make the list either. I mean , lets face it. Walk over to the shopping mall, walk into the store , buy stuff. It doesn't fit, it's broken ,w hatever, go back and return it.
Go online ... and you don't know who you're dealing with , where they are , are they going to honor their return policy ? Are they going to even be there next week ? And what about your credit card ? Entire credit card databases are being routinely stolen from major corperations this year even, and there are dozens if not hundreds of virus's out there that the first thing they do is scan your computer to see if you ever typed in your credit card anywhere on any site so they can steal it !
Odd how that doesn't get a lot of press either.
6. Install an anti-spyware program like Spyware Doctor or Spy Sweeper that not only seeks and destroys offending programs, but also detects incoming spyware before it loads and blocks it. If your PC starts acting funny, run a system scan and remove any suspicious files. If you are an active Internet user, set your anti-spyware program to do a full system scan at the end of each day.
but "Spend money on these products" did make the list.
7. Before you purchase an anti-spyware program, check whether your Internet service provider offers one. If so, you probably just have to activate it. (Go to the vendor's home page and look under Security.) "If your ISP doesn't offer it now, it probably will soon," Lambert says. You can also download Microsoft's Windows AntiSpyware program, an early version of the upcoming Windows Defender, by clicking here.
And the almost apologetic "here are some free ones" listed last, at the bottom of a huge article.
Lets recap !
1... keep using the Internet Explorer , the worlds most virus and trojen prone program !
2...buy anti virus junk !
3...give your kids some instructions you know they're going to ignore !
4... don't forget to click on the pop up ad that came on this page and is giving us money !
Yeah ..ok... so who wrote this article again ?
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