Avoid Spyware - How To Keep Your Computer Clean

Original Article from IntelliSites, the smart choice for web design (and SEO!)
Is your computer slowing down? Do you click on your internet icon, run to the kitchen to get some macaroni and cheese, and come back to find that your computer is still not connected to the internet?

You can thank spyware for that.

Spyware, malware, viruses...you hear a lot about these sneaky predators these days. They get into your computer to reconfigure things, steal information, track your activity, or at the very least, slow things down.

If you're in the market for a better browsing experience, here are some tips you can use to avoid these pests and keep your computer moving along.


Don't Just Click It. Links are fun to click – but they can be dangerous. Whether they are links from webpage to webpage, links on social networking sites, or links in an e-mail, be very careful about which ones you click on. Evaluate the situation and use caution. Is the link in a strange-sounding e-mail from a long-lost acquaintance? Did the link randomly pop up in a little box on your screen? Was the link found on a website that seems a bit shady? If so, hold back.

Don't Trust Every Website. When you Google a topic, there is no guarantee that every site that comes up is 100% trustworthy. Search engines look for relevant sites, but they don't always screen out sites that were set up with malicious intentions. Before you click, check out the web address – is it extremely long and complicated? Does it end with an unusual domain name? Also, read the description and see if it makes sense. If it's just a jumble of nonsense phrases, chances are it's a site that's out to poison people with spyware or other malware. Choose another site from the list that seems more legit.

Sometimes the Best Defense is Offense. Avoiding suspicious links and websites will decrease the amount of spyware your computer is exposed to, but it's really difficult to be vigilant enough to avoid it all. In addition to being careful as you surf, be sure to install antivirus software on your computer and keep your subscription up to date. Freeware programs like Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware can also be downloaded to help attack the spyware programs that have already made their way into your computer.

With these tips and a little luck, you'll end up with less mac and cheese in your belly before your computer connects to the internet.