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Computing & Statistics Lab

How to Combat Spyware


Signs that your computer might be infested with Spyware:

1. Popup windows
2. Frequent computer crashes
3. Strange hard drive/modem behavior
4. Unusually slow computer and/or Internet connection
5. Stolen credit card numbers, identity theft, or phone charges to 1-900 numbers

Tips from the June 2005 issue of Consumer Reports

"- Download & install software only from online sources you trust, and be especially
   wary of free music and movie-file-sharing programs.
 - Don't click on OK in windows that pop up on Web pages and offer to install software
   to "secure" your PC. Just close them.
 - Adjust your Web browser software's security setting. With Internet Explorer 6, for example,
   keep its Internet-zone security level at medium or higher to block Web sites from downloading
   files without your authorization.
 - Learn more about spyware at PC Hell and at Spyware Guide"

Anti-Spyware Software Recommended by the Aging Center IT Staff:

Ad-Aware SE Personal from Lavasoft.com
Spybot-S&D from Safer-Networking.org
Because the very definition of Spyware is still evolving, you need more than one program to get adequate coverage.
  
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