Computer Tutor: Battling spyware and other viruses

By: DON EDRINGTON - for the North County Times | Saturday, July 29, 2006 6:29 PM PDT ∞

One of the predicaments of Internet security is the plethora of similar products being sold to protect us from the same thing.

Also, products once designed to do one job, such as keep our machines safe from viruses, are now being "upgraded" to eliminate spyware or to deal with identity theft scams, among other things. One of the worst problems is "anti-spyware" software, which actually IS spyware. I wish I could name one product that would be best for everyone, but that would be like suggesting everyone would be happy with, say, a Chrysler 300.

Nonetheless, I can offer a few guidelines. Let's start with spyware ---- if you surf the Internet, you have it on your computer ---- it's literally unavoidable. Historically, no one product has ever guaranteed to find and remove all it, but a free program called Ad-Aware has worked well for me for many years. However, the free version has become difficult to find ---- probably because asking users to donate a nominal fee to support the program hasn't worked too well.

Ad-Aware can still be found at www.download.com, along with several similarly named programs, such as Ad-Ware and Adaware, most of which offer a "free download," but which charge you to remove any spyware they claim to find. If you're ready to purchase a trustworthy and effective program for $29.99, Spy-Sweeper from www.webroot.com comes highly recommended by many computer publications and technology reviewers. You can run it full time to stop spyware wherever it's encountered, or have it scan and clean your hard drive periodically.

Most adware/spyware gets sent to your PC when you visit various Web sites (never from mine, by the way) and can be removed by emptying your Temporary Internet Files folder(s). More insidious spyware, which often exploits your personal credit information, is gotten by clicking on links such as Click Here to "Claim Your Free Laptop," or to "See Your Fave Celeb Nude." Even though you are a cautious adult, an adventurous youngster on your PC can get you into problems you never knew existed.

You can become infected by a virus when clicking on a suspicious link, but most viruses come in the form of an e-mail attachment. Open the attached file, and you start having problems ---- maybe not instantly, but sooner or later. Some viruses steal your e-mail address book and use the names as "return addresses" on various spam scams they send out. Other viruses can cripple your PC or shut it down completely.

Again, no single anti-virus program can guarantee 100 percent protection from all threats. The best defense is to not click on anything you are not sure of.

As for which anti-virus program I use, I had Norton for years, but am currently quite happy with AVG, a free program whose link can be found on my site.

If you do prefer Norton ---- or some other name brand ---- I suggest buying just its anti-virus software. I'll explain why next time.

More security tips can be found at www.pcdon.com, and calls are welcome at (949) 646-8615.

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