Five More Tips for Avoiding Spyware

Last week I introduced the first five of ten tips for avoiding spyware infection. I promised to post the rest this week from RSA. Here are the final tips:

6. Use a firewall

If you do not have a personal firewall on your PC you are in trouble. Do yourself and the Internet a favor and download a reputable firewall. Check Gibson’s www.grc.com web site for a quick demo of the types of leaks you may have in your computer that a firewall will plug.

7. Use an anti-virus program

I have heard the stat that 98% of all PC’s have anti-virus software on them but only 8% have up to date signatures. While there are free AV products, I highly recommend subscribing to a real AV service. Consider it a small price to pay to be connected to the Internet safely.

8. Use an anti-spyware program.

Considering the fact that I represent a company that offers an anti-spyware product I will just leave it at that.

9. Don’t buy products from unsolicited ads.

A very naïve concept perhaps, but people recycle newspapers to save the earth from being covered in landfills don’t they? Never buy a product from unsolicited email, never buy a product from or even click on an unwanted ad. Do not support advertisers that use slimeware to push their products. Do not install software that supports itself with adware. If the business of slimeware is broken it will go away.

10. Spread the word.

Each of us has friends and family members and coworkers that look to us for help with their computers. Be proactive. Reach out to them to warn them of the menace to their privacy and peace of mind. Help them rid themselves of thus stuff. When they talk about buying a new computer because the one they have had for a couple of years is “getting slow�? say “aha, you have spyware!�?

Originally published at www.threatchaos.com