With the threat of identity theft and financial fraud affecting the Internet, adware and spyware can be more than just annoying.
Here are four methods to remove or simply avoid adware and spyware without spending a dime on the latest "anti-virus" software.
1. USE Firefox. If you do not use the Internet much, maybe you do not know much about Firefox. All you need to know is that it is a browser that works well and has REALLY security.
2. Do not use Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is like Swiss cheese. It is open to the world by default. Microsoft is continually releasing patches to correct any flaws in Internet Explorer 6.X and lower versions of the browser. Even if it can be "secured" by increasing the security, it may lose much of its functionality, once fixed at a maximum security with certain features exploitable off.
3. Using a hardware or software firewall (not just Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall). It may seem expensive and difficult to do, but it is not. If you have a broadband DSL or cable connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have given you a DSL / Cable router with a firewall built in All you have to do, it is turning it on. This may require you to take a few minutes to read the manual.
If your ISP does not give you a DSL or cable broadband router with a firewall, you can spend anywhere from $ 20-$ 60 (or sometimes even cheaper with a mail-in rebate) to get a router. If you have DSL, you will need a DSL router. If you have cable broadband ISP you will need a cable router. Brands such as Linksys have built in firewalls and a feature called NAT, Network Address Translation, which is very effective because it masks your true IP address from the Internet. All routers come with instructions on how to reach them. If you want to keep a computer security free, just use a free software firewall.
4. Remove Spyware / Adware free anti-spyware software to combat adware. Lavasoft's Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy are two excellent methods of cleaning your system for free. Majorgeeks.com trust is a popular and free which these sites and many other fine spyware / adware and malware cleaning prevention tools (including the free downloadable firewall).
The best method is to use ALL of the above. Be proactive by surfing with a decent browser and getting a firewall is important, but it also helps to know a couple of good anti-adware/spyware applications. If you really struck with a little uncomfortable malware that can not be cleaned with Adaware or Spybot, you will find a geek. There are many great forums on the Internet dedicated to the research, but do nothing and cleaning such malicious programs. Chances are if your system is infected with it, hundreds of others before you have been infected and have already figured on how to get rid of the virus.
