How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware

The main problem that most people notice with either kind of program is that they cause performance issues with their computers. For example, Internet Explorer might not work properly any more, your computer might hang more frequently, or your computer might slow down significantly. Removing spyware successfully is difficult enough to make preventing it in the first place a priority.

Protect against Spyware and Adware


Without help, you have no way to prevent adware or spyware. Old antivirus programs don't even prevent adware, since they didn't consider them viruses or worms. First, you usually give permission to install adware, although you do so unwittingly because adware and spyware pushers are deceptive. Second, adware doesn't behave like a typical virus or worm. They don't usually do actual damage to your computer, other than wrecking its performance, and they don't spread themselves using your address book. (Although some kinds of adware can break your anti-spyware tools.)
Things are changing for the better, though. Most popular antivirus products now include adware and spyware scanning. For example, the latest versions of McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus 2004, and Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2004 now scan for some adware and spyware.
Also, some Internet service providers (ISPs) are introducing protection from adware and spyware. For example, America Online (AOL) announced in January spyware protection as an enhancement for AOL 9.0 Optimized. EarthLink also provides adware and spyware protection through the latest version of its software. Of course, to take advantage of the built-in protection that antivirus products and ISPs provide, you have to update to the latest versions, and keep the anti-spyware/adware signatures current.Top of page

Prevent Unwanted Installation


Companies pushing adware and spyware are relying on two things: your desire for free software and your gullibility. I've had two friends bring me their computers after they were seriously infected with adware. In one case, the culprit was my friend's craving for free file-sharing software. His desktop was a mess with countless icons for programs that he downloaded from the Internet. I was aghast. What he didn't realize is that he gave implicit permission to install adware. He knows better now.
My other friend isn't a freeware glutton. Instead, she has a habit of clicking the Yes or OK buttons on every dialog box she sees. Even suspicious-looking dialog boxes that don't pass close scrutiny. Of course, when a dialog box pops up asking if it's OK to install a new program, she clicks the Yes button.
The lesson that you can learn from my friends will help you prevent the installation of most adware and spyware:




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Make sure the programs you install don't contain adware. Many freeware programs do include adware. It's how the publishers make their money. If you're not sure, read the license agreement carefully (these are usually shown directly or through links as part of the installation process). Also, check the publisher's Web site very carefully. If you're still not sure, search Google Groups for the name of the program and the keywords adware or spyware. If you don't find any postings about it, then you're probably OK.

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Install a pop-up blocker to prevent adware and spyware pop-up windows. Much spyware installs after you click a deceptive link in a pop-up browser window. Install a pop-up blocker, and you won't even be tempted to click those links. My two favorite pop-up blockers are completely free. The first is the new MSN Toolbar. The second is the Google Toolbar. Pop-up windows are annoying time wasters anyway, so you'll thank yourself later. If you're a Windows XP user, look for a service pack this summer (Service Pack 2) that will include a number of great security features, as well as a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer.

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Don't unwittingly install adware or software. If you do click what seems like a innocuous link, and then you see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 1, don't click the Yes button to install the software. In this example, I was expecting to install a program from Microsoft so I feel safe. If in doubt, however, do not proceed. This dialog box is your last line of defense, and you should only install programs from the Internet that you chose to install. This is akin to giving someone your credit card number who calls you at home. It's a different story if you called them. Installing Windows XP SP 2 (when it's available later this summer) will also provide some help by suppressing unsolicited downloads of ActiveX controls (a popular vehicle for spyware).


Figure 1: Only click Yes if you trust the publisher and want the software.


Spyware scanners and some virus scanners with spyware signatures can help combat spyware. However, the best strategy is to be discriminating about what you choose to download and install.Top of page

Check Your Computer


If you're even thinking about scanning your computer for adware and spyware, then you're probably experiencing some of the symptoms I described earlier in this article. Those include instability, performance problems, or possibly a hijacked Web browser.
There is software specifically designed for detecting spyware and adware, and helping you remove it. The one with which I'm most familiar is Ad-aware from Lavasoft. This is the program that I recommend to most of my friends. A freeware version is available for use by individuals at home. A commercial version is also available for use in corporate environments. A program like Ad-aware finds adware and spyware on your computer and then removes them.
You can find more adware and spyware removal tools at the Spyware Protection and Removal guide. This Web page includes links to popular spyware removal programs, as well as a number of useful articles. If you're not going to use a popular program like Ad-aware, however, search Google Groups for the name of the program you do choose. Some spyware removal software can cause as many problems as it fixes, and you want to find out about these problems before using unproven software.
Tip: Malke, a Microsoft MVP, offers this tip in the Windows XP Newsgroups: "It's best to run antivirus and spyware removal tools in Safe Mode." This is because removal tools sometimes can't remove spyware from your computer while it's running.