There are several techniques. Sometimes they arrive as an automatic download from a website you are surfing. Typically this happens a lot on porn sites. Sometimes if you download a free or illegal piece of software, they are embedded in the installation process. Or spyware can get on your computer via an email attachment that you shouldn't have opened.

6. I have a spyware remover program but it doesn't remove a particular type of spyware on my computer. What can I do?

BUT ...Ultimately no one program will solve all your spyware problems. A good strategy is to (sad to say) get two and run them both.

We recommend Ad-aware and Spybot - Search and Destroy, which compliment each other well, but any two will do.

7. How can I delete spyware manually?

Sometimes a spyware program is very obvious. It adds itself to your menu bar and be found listed in your Add/Remove Programs list in your Windows Control Panel. Click START, (then if you have Win95/98/Me click Settings) then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs and look for a program that you don't recognize. Sometimes its obvious....like "XXX dialer" or something like that. Just use the Add/Remove Programs features to remove it. Sometimes its not as evident and you have to go diving into the registry and delete entries and also search for specific files on your hard drive and remove them.

8. What can I do to stop spyware?

There are a few things you can do:

1. Ultimately your best bet is to get an anti-spyware program and scan your system regularly.
    

2. Whatever anti-spyware utility you are using, keep the database up-to-date.  Unlike viruses, new spyware tactics come out frequently and their perpetrators find more ways to get past anti-spyware tools.  It is imperative to be diligent in keeping this software up-to-date.
    

3. Keep Windows and Internet Explorer patches up to date.

   Ensure your operating system is fully patched against any known security vulnerabilities. Click on Links, go to Microsoft Patches and Critical Updates, and install any patches marked "Critical". This step should be repeated periodically, at least monthly, to ensure your operating system is fully protected against known exploits.
    

4. Keep desktop antivirus software signatures up to date.
    

5. Don't download programs by companies you are not familiar with. Avoid freely downloading shareware and freeware - these are leading sources of spyware infections.
    

6. Don't download illegal pirated software.
    

7. Set your Internet Security settings to at least Medium.

   1.      Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools menu and then the Internet Options... sub-menu.

   2.      Click on the Security tab at the top. Next click on the Internet icon. The Security Level bar should be set to Medium.

   3.      Next click on the Restricted Sites icon. The Security Level bar should be set to High.

   4.      Next click on the Trusted Sites icon. The Security Level bar should be set to Low.

   5.      Now click OK and you're done.

   The only problem with this is it may block access to some websites you want to see.
    

8. Issue and enforce strict policies on user Web surfing and downloading activities.
    

9. Use a Web content filtering program to monitor user activity and block access to Web sites commonly used to disseminate spyware.
    

10. Install a desktop firewall on every laptop and desktop.
     

11. Don't give Windows users local admin privileges.
     

12. Create a list of known good ActiveX controls and block all others. Lists are available from Symantec, PivX and other security vendors.
     

13. Delete spam from your e-mail.  Spyware is increasingly spread through e-mail just like other viruses.
     
14. Use the "X" button in the upper right corner--rather than an in-window instruction--to close pop-ups. 

     

9. What can I do if my web browser's homepage is hijacked by spyware?

Here's a column on how to fix that: Click here.

10. What about free* anti-spyware programs? Any good?

Yes, you might consider Spybot - Search and Destroy (Spyware Removal Tool), Ad-aware (Spyware Removal Tool) or SpywareBlaster (Spyware Prevention Tool) - we recommend a combination of these. (*Please note: These free spyware programs are free for private individual use only.  For profit business entities, governmental entities, or educational institutions, must purchase a valid end-user license in order to use Ad-aware software).  All are good, all solve problems with varying levels of success and ease of use. However free software usually comes with a hitch. Sometimes it is not updated as frequently as you'd like. Sometimes the maker doesn't stick around for long (could you buy groceries if you worked for free all the time?) or their support isn't good or even existent. We are a big advocate for free utilities; if you get utility out of a free program, then what more could you want? But please, if the author asks for a donation, please be sure to volunteer funds...even if its a few dollars.

11. What are cookies - are they good or bad?

These little text files have a bad reputation. But much of that is based on ignorance. Cookies actually perform valuable services. For instance, they can shoot you right into a site so you don't have to enter your password.

Here's how cookies work: Say you visit the ABC Book Co. You buy a book. The company downloads a text file to your computer, which includes an ID number. That's a cookie.

Two weeks later, you go back to the ABC Books site. First thing, your browser checks for an ABC cookie. It finds it, and sends it to ABC's computer.

When the ABC site opens, it says "Welcome back, Joe!" How does it know? The ABC Book Co. has the information about the sale two weeks ago in its database. It matches the ID number in the cookie to the sale information, and customizes the page for you.

When you next make a purchase, you won't have to enter your credit-card number or address. That will already be filled in. Again, that came from the database, and was enabled by the cookie.

That is all very convenient. But there are less desirable cookies, too. They're called tracking cookies. Say you visit the XYZ Brain Surgery site. There's a banner ad there. It is linked to an advertising services company. It downloads a cookie. The cookie says, "This person visited XYZ Brain Surgery."

Next, you go to a heart transplant site. The banner ad there is associated with the same advertising company. The browser sends the cookie to the banner ad. The ad adds a notation that you visited the heart transplant site.

Over time, the tracking cookie builds a profile of your interests. The advertising services company sells this information. That's why you start getting advertising for medical equipment.

12. I've installed anti-spyware, but now one of my programs doesn't work.  Why?

If you block the spyware / adware programs that come with freeware, the program that you did want may not work. In that case, you may want to leave the spyware / adware running. At least, you'll know it is there.

13. Is it true that it is a good practice to run more than one anti-spyware program?

14. Great advice, have you got any more computer threat-related columns?

Sure do! See our virus protection faqs.