This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Internet addiction is a relatively new concept for many people, since (believe it or not) we’re still in the very early stages of our technological era. The idea that we could become addicted to easy access to information seems almost laughable to many people. However, how much time do you really spend online? The internet has become such an integral part of our society, which we’ve adapted to incorporate into our daily routines. Are you, or a member of your family addicted to the internet? Here are five key warning signs that will help you identify an internet addiction.

1 – A “Need” to Be Connected
What happens when you don’t have access to the internet? Do you feel anxious, nervous or disconnected from other people? Do you try to finish your current activity as fast as possible, just so that you can get back online sooner? These behavioral traits are the sign of a serious internet addiction.

2 – Loss of Interest in Offline Activities
When was the last time that you did an outdoor activity that you previously enjoyed? Did you previously love to read, or draw – activities which you find yourself no longer interested in? This is another very important sign that you might have developed a dependence on online communication. Essentially, your internet time has become a replacement for other “offline” activities.

3 – Less “Real” Social Time
Of course you spend time interacting with your friends online – who doesn’t? However, the question is – do you spend time with them off of the internet as well? Most of us have become very accustomed to simply communicating via online messages, which requires us to spend less time actually “talking” to someone face to face. If you find that you’re avoiding actual social encounters in favor of chatting online, you may need to acknowledge that you have a serious problem.

4 – Others Have Commented About Your Internet Use
If other people are beginning to notice that you’re spending a lot of time online, it might be time to listen to their analysis of your behavior.  While all of us spend at least some time online, if it’s becoming noticeable to others, you might want to take a step back. Are your friends saying that they never see you anymore outside of chatting online? Is your family complaining about spending less time with you? Do you find yourself constantly checking your social media accounts? If any of these are true, you might want to stop denying it, and actually listen to the feedback you’re receiving about your online activities.

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Cyber bullying is a topic that has recently received a lot of attention from many media outlets. Due to the popularity of the internet, many people are now completely dependent on online communication. However, this has spawned a new set of social problems for this generation of tech-savvy children, which includes the issue of cyber bullying.

Though childhood teasing is often seen as harmless, bullies are now being given even more opportunities to confront their victims online. Websites such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter give children the ability to interact with each other, sometimes with complete anonymity. With these tools, more child bullies are now taking their behavior online. If your child is being bullied, it’s important that you are aware of the symptoms of being victimized by a cyber bully. Here are some quick tips for concerned parents.

Lack of Interest in Computer Time
Has your child lost interest in spending time online? The important thing to look for is an abrupt change in your child’s behavior towards their computer time. Lack of interest in going on the computer could mean that your child is attempting to avoid being accessible to a cyber bully.

Withdrawn Behavior
While a little bit of angst is normal for the pre-teen and teenage generation, it’s still important to be concerned if your child becomes showing signs of depression. Withdrawn behavior may include a lack of interest in going outdoors, failing to respond to friends invitations to hang out, etc. Though this beahvior may have any number of causes, when combined with the other symptoms, it can be a sign that your child may be the victim of a cyber bully.

Physical Symptoms
If your child is being subjected to cyber bullying, this may manifest as physical complaints as well. Your child may begin complaining of headaches, stomachaches and other physical symptoms. These may be real symptoms that are brought on by the stress and anxiety of being bullied.

Lack of Interest in School Events
In many cases when a child is being cyber bullied, the bully is someone that they know from school. Because of this, your child may begin to display a lack of interest in school events that they previously enjoyed. This may include sports events, pep rallies or other after-school activities.

A Decline in Grades
If your child is showing an uncharacteristic decline in their grades, try to avoid getting upset with them. Often times, a decline in grades may be a sign that your child is undergoing some sort of emotional stress. If your child is being cyber bullied, they may begin to have trouble focusing on their schoolwork, which could account for their decline in grades.

Hidden Computer Activities
If your child is being cyber bullied, they may try to hide this from their friends, parents and other family members. Because of this, they may constantly be exiting their computer activities as soon as someone else enters the room. When asked what they were doing, your child may come up with an excuse or dodge the question. This may be a symptom that your child is the victim of a cyber bully.

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It takes a thief less than six seconds to steal a computer. In other words, if you are in a coffee shop and leave your laptop on the table while you run to the bathroom, your computer may be gone by the time you get back. Most laptops are stolen from public areas. They are also often stolen from cars and homes.

For many people, a computer is a necessity. Computers and laptops are needed for work and school. The internet is the source most turn to now for information. Friends and family stay connected through various social sites. Laptops are used to design new ideas, enhance photographs and search for music. People depend heavily on their computers, yet they fail to protect them.

In just the past three years, 5.5 million computers have been stolen in the United States. Only 3% of these computers were ever recovered. 68% of the stolen computers were laptops while the least stolen were desktop systems.

Laptops are easy to grab and walk off with. One way to deter thieves is by using a locking security cable. This cable is similar to a bike lock. The security cable locks the laptop to a large or immovable object (such as a table) thus making it difficult to steal. Laptop locks are especially recommended for college students since a lot of computer thefts occur in the library or from residence halls.

Another option is using a recovery service such as LoJack for Laptops. If your computer is ever stolen, LoJack can locate it and notify the police. Absolute Software also tracks stolen computers. The vice president of Absolute Software, Lyle Singular, boasted, “Because of our persistent technology and ability to gather evidence for stolen computers, we’re able to recover computers on behalf of our customers and help give them peace-of-mind. Without the Absolute Theft Recovery Team…some of these computers would probably have never been recovered and the suspects never captured.”

Absolute Software helped recover a woman’s laptop that had been stolen from her car’s trunk. Within twenty-four hours, her computer had been found and the thief arrested. Another man’s laptop was stolen from his home and sold across the country, but Absolute tracked it down and recovered the stolen computer. Similarly, a student’s laptop was stolen at a university auditorium but found using LoJack for Laptops.

Since we depend so heavily on our computers, shouldn’t we take the same security precautions we use to protect our homes and vehicles? Just like we lock our homes and cars, we can lock our laptops, and just like we place tracking devices in our automobiles, we can track our computers. If you fail to take the necessary precautions, you may return to your table at the coffee shop to find your computer gone forever.

Sources:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20012553-263.html

http://www.kstatecollegian.com/report-laptop-thefts-on-the-rise-1.2312148#4

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/absolute-software-turns-computer-theft-disasters-into-recovery-successes-101868868.html

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1. How to Prevent Your Laptop from Being Stolen This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

According to the FBI, a laptop is stolen approximately every 53 seconds in the United States. Sadly, over 97% of these are never recovered. Many thieves are turning to computer theft in today’s economic situation, since laptops can be easy to steal and re-sell. It’s estimated that one in every ten stolen laptops is stolen within the first year after purchase. Newer laptops are attractive targets for thieves, since they tend to have a high selling value.

What can you do to prevent your laptop from being stolen? Here are a few simple tips.

Install Anti-Theft Software
Due to the increase in laptop theft, many companies have developed software that may assist in recovery. For example, Absolute software has a product called LoJack for Laptops. This software allows the location of the stolen laptop to be tracked, and the remote deletion of potentially sensitive information (such as passwords and bank account info) after it has been stolen. Some companies even offer a “Service Guarantee”, which may allow you to collect around $1,000 if the company is unable to help your stolen notebook be returned.

Engrave Identification Info
While this may not essentially prevent laptops from being stolen, it can help improve the chances that it will be returned to you. Notebook computers can usually be etched with an identification number that can be traced by the police. You may also have other identification information etched on your laptop, such as your name, phone number or contact information.

Use an Inconspicuous Case
One of the reasons that your laptop may be a target for theft is its carrying case. Many thieves act on opportunity, and an attractive, expensive-looking notebook case can put your computer at risk for theft. Instead, opt for a comfortable yet stylish case, which doesn’t have any features that could attract unwanted attention. You may also want to avoid purchasing a notebook bag from brand-name or designer labels, since this could also put your laptop at a higher risk for being stolen.

Never Leave Your Laptop in Your Car
A common mistake that many laptop owners make is to leave their computer unattended in their vehicle. A “smash and grab” theft will take advantage of any and all expensive items that are present in your car. If a thief sees that a laptop is visible in your vehicle, it may be enough to convince them to steal it from your car.

Purchase a Laptop Lock
Another way to prevent laptop theft is to purchase a physical locking device for it. These locks can usually be inserted into your laptop via the USS (Universal Security Slot). The other end of the locking device may be connected to a chair, table, or even your laptop bag. While a lock isn’t a reason to leave your laptop unattended, it may discourage some potential thieves.

Pay Attention at the Airport
Airports are common areas where thieves may target laptops for theft. Since the environment in an airport means that many people will be distracted, its easy to lose track of your personal belongings. When flying, always keep your laptop by your side! Even if you only need to leave your seat for a few seconds to check-in, never leave any of your bags behind. Some opportunistic thieves may snatch your laptop, then board their flight in order to make a quick getaway.

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You may not realize it, but sometimes all that stands between you and an identity thief is a string of 5-8 alphanumeric characters. In today’s digital world, passwords allow us to gain access to a wide variety of information. This may include personal emails, bank account info, daily news preferences and social networks. However, many people don’t realize how vulnerable they are because of the location and type of passwords they use. In fact, many people store their passwords in a text file on their computer, which is a huge security risk. Here are a few tips to help you to keep your passwords safe from identity thieves and hackers.

Choose a Difficult Password

Many people choose passwords that are easy to remember – such as their birth year, child’s birthday or the name of their high school. However, these password types are actually extremely insecure. It’s best to choose a password that is a combination of letters, numbers and alphanumeric characters. For example, you could have a password such as px8:4k9 – which is a combination of these three character types. Though these types of passwords are initially difficult to remember, they are also more difficult for a hacker to crack.

Don’t Share Your Password

Imagine that you’re at work, and you receive a call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement official. They tell you that your child is accused of downloading illegal or banned content onto your home computer, and that it needs to be investigated. They ask you for the password to login to your computer, in order to ensure that there is no illegal content. However, the person on the phone is actually an identity thief, who is attempting to gain access to your personal information. While this may sound a bit far-fetched, scams such as this one happen every day, and thousands of people per year are victims of identity theft. Never, ever give out your passwords to anyone.

For Digital Passwords, Use a Password Service

Security expert Bruce Schneier was recently interviewed about how to keep passwords safe from hackers. His advice was interesting, as was this part of his response:

“I write my passwords down. There’s this rampant myth that you shouldn’t write your passwords down. My advice is exactly the opposite. We already know how to secure small bits of paper. Write your passwords down on a small bit of paper, and put it with all of your other valuable small bits of paper: in your wallet.” - Security Expert Bruce Schneier

However, Schneier doesn’t only rely on his back pocket to protect his important passwords. He uses a free Windows password storage tool, which is called “Password Safe”. This desktop application allows computer users to store their passwords on their computer, requiring them to only remember one password in order to access their password list. Password Safe is an open-source project, and is currently released as version 3.22. It uses the Twofish encryption algorithm, which provides a high level of security for stored passwords. Because it’s free, it has been rapidly increasing in popularity among computer users looking for encryption services for their passwords.

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Wireless internet has given us incredibly mobility, and the ability to access the internet from virtually anywhere. However, there are cyber criminals that may take advantage of a wireless network that is not secure. It’s possible for someone with a basic level of computer experience to steal your personal information by accessing a vulnerable network. Here are three simple steps you can use to secure your wireless network:

Wireless Network Security – Step 1. Change the Default Administrative Username and Password

The first and perhaps most important thing you should do is change the default administrative username and password on your router. Your router has its own portal, much like a website, that anyone can access wirelessly.  This portal allows a user to change all kinds of settings from a remote location. Unfortunately, a router ships with a default username and password that anyone can look up. If your username and password are still set to their factory defaults, you are at a huge security risk! Change these settings as soon as possible.

Wireless Network Security – Step 2. Change the Default SSID

When you turn on your router, and connect to your home access point, you look for the identifying name of your network. This name is also known as the SSID. By default, an unchanged SSID will usually reflect the router’s manufacturer. For example, a Linksys router will usually have a default SSID of “linksys”. Although staying with the default name for your wireless network doesn’t compromise its security, it can make you a target for cyber criminals. In their eyes, a default SSID is a sign of a poorly configured network. Many people with default SSID’s leave their other security settings unchanged as well.

Wireless Network Security – Step 3. Enable Encryption

All of today’s wireless routers are capable of encrypting the signal they send. Encryption essentially scrambles the data that is sent and received so that only somebody with a password can interpret it. If you have ever logged on to a network that required a password, you have accessed an encrypted network. There are many different types of encryption you can set, which each have different levels of security. Although you may be tempted to choose the highest level of security encryption, you need to consider what your internet devices are capable of using. Unfortunately, every device on your network needs to use the same type of encryption. For example, even if your business laptop is capable of WPA2 encryption (currently the strongest), your child’s mobile gaming device may not be.  Therefore, you may need to compromise with a lower level of security encryption. At a minimum, you should at least choose WEP encryption.

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1. 5 Simple (and Free) Steps to a Secure PC This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

In today’s age of digitized information, it is essential to ensure your personal data remains secure. Thousands of people each year are victims of identity theft, often because their digital personal information has been compromised. Fortunately, there is an easy five-step process that you can follow to keep your computer secure. This can be done for free, and can be accomplished in a few minutes.

Step One to a Secure PC: Make Sure Windows Update is on Automatic

Windows Update is responsible for keeping your PC up-to-date. It provides you with security fixes, malware definition updates, and patches for known exploits. A large percentage of viruses are designed to target older versions of Windows. Hackers know that most people do not bother updating, so the odds of successfully infecting a target computer are still fairly high. Stay out of that majority by keeping Windows updated at all times.

Go to the Start Menu, type ‘Windows Update’ in the search box, and select the first option that appears. On the left side of the following window, click ‘Change Settings’ and under ‘Important Updates’ select ‘Install updates automatically’. Click the ‘OK’ button to save your changes.

Step Two to a Secure PC: Install Antivirus Software

Although an up-to-date Windows system has a good level of security, it is still highly recommended that you install an effective antivirus program. In general, you have two options: you can purchase an antivirus program, or choose a free option. One of the most popular free antivirus programs is Avast! Free Antivirus.

Download Link:

• Avast! Free Antivirus

If you choose to pay for your antivirus software instead, you can also refer to our article: “5 Computer Security Tips” for links to other antivirus programs.

Step Three to a Secure PC: Install Antispyware Software (XP Only)

If  you’re one of the many computer users that is still running Windows XP, it is essential that you have spyware protection. Unlike newer Windows operating systems, XP does not have a built-in spyware program. Each time you browse the web, you most likely will pick up spyware.  Fortunately, Microsoft published Windows Defender as a free download to provide an added level of spyware protection in Windows XP.

Download Link:

• Windows Defender

Click the “Get it Now” button, and follow the recommended settings to install the program. If you have installed Avast! Free Antivirus, you will actually be protected against spyware as well, since it is included with the software. NOTE: If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, you already have Windows Defender installed on your system.

The XP Interface for Windows Defender.

Step Four to a Secure PC: Use a Secure Web Browser

The default browser for Windows is Internet Explorer (IE). While this is most likely the browser you are most familiar with, it is actually one of the least secure browsers available today. There are plenty of better options, all free. Choosing between them is a matter of preference. Google Chrome is the fastest, Mozilla Firefox is the most customizable, and Opera has the highest performance. All three options have better sercurity than Internet Explorer.

Download Links:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Opera

Execute the setup program, and install with the recommended settings. When you run the browser for the first time, you can import data from Internet Explorer, such as your bookmark folders.

Step Five to a Secure PC: Be Wary of Public Networks

When traveling, finding an internet connection can be a bit of a challenge. However, it is still possible to find unsecured networks, which you can connect to without providing a special password. It’s tempting to leech off of these networks to get some free on-the-go internet access.

Connecting to an unsecure network is actually a lot more dangerous than many people realize. Because the information that is sent over the network is not encrypted, anyone can “sniff out” packets of data and collect lots of sensitive information. Unfortunately, not all websites conceal the data that you send them. If another person is also connected to the same network, they could theoretically acquire all kinds of personal information. This could include passwords, bank acount numbers, or sensitive login information.

If you absolutely must connect to an unsecure network, make sure you do not access any websites that handle sensitive information. Be certain your firewall is active and running, and be sure you don’t have any files or folders shared without a password. By default, all of these settings should already be in place, unless you manually changed them.

screenshot: source

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1. Reboot Your Computer

Since many of today’s PC’s and Laptops now have Power-Save options, it’s natural to forget that your computer needs to reboot occasionally. When you make changes to your computer’s settings, or install new programs, it can help to reboot your PC to help these changes to take effect.

2. Perform a Virus Scan

In some cases, performance issues with your computer could be caused by a computer virus. Many viruses use up resources (such as RAM and hard drive space), resulting in poor performance. If you don’t have anti-virus software installed on your computer, there are several options available to you. For a short list of recommended free and paid anti-virus software, check out these 5 Essential Computer Security Tips.

3. Free up Disk Space

If you have large video, music or backup files on your computer, you may want to consider transferring them to a physical backup medium instead. In most cases, you can burn files that you don’t use on a regular basis to a CD or DVD as data files. CD’s typically have around 700MB (MegaBytes) of available storage space, while DVD’s usually boast about 4.4 GB (GigaBytes).

4. Defragment Your Hard Drive

When Windows accesses the files on your computer, the location of these files often becomes fragmented. This means that every time Windows needs to access these files, it needs to first search for the locations of these fragments. Over time, Windows eventually scatters the locations of your files throughout your computer: This is called fragmentation.  Excessive fragmentation can result in slow performance, as well as other computer issues. To defragment your computer, you have two options. Every copy of Windows comes with a built-in defragmenting program to help fix this problem through regular maintenance. Or, you can download third-party defragmenting software, since there are some programs that are more effective at defragmenting your computer.

To run the Windows Defragmenter, open up your Start menu. Navigate toPrograms > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Once you start up the program, you will have two options: Analyze, and Defragment. The Analyze option allows you to see the fragmentation level of your computer. To fix this fragmentation, choose the “Defragment” option. It’s recommended that you have at least 15% of your hard drive’s disk space free before attempting defragmentation.

5. Uninstall Old/Useless Programs

Many computers often come packaged with trial software, proprietary programs and other applications that aren’t essential to the proper functioning of your computer. In order to help your computer to perform better, it’s highly recommended that you regularly check the installed programs on your computer. If you don’t regularly use a program, it’s best to uninstall it. Navigate to the Control Panel through the Start Menu, then either choose “Uninstall Programs“, “Programs and Features“ or “Programs” (depending on your version of Windows).

6. Run Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is an application included with most versions of Windows, which allows you to safely delete unneeded system files. Open the Start Menu, and choose Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Once the program has started, you should see a list of all the files on your computer that can be deleted safely, as well as a description of these files. Check all the files that you wish to delete, and then click the “OK” button.

7. Perform a Spyware Scan

If your computer is connected to the internet, there is a chance that it could be infected with spyware. Spyware refers to any type of program that collects information about your internet history, browsing, personal details or other information without your knowledge. It can also use up resources, and decrease your computer’s performance. For further details, you can refer to this article, “What is Spyware, and How Does it Affect My Computer?”

8. Install a Firewall

Another vulnerability of your computer when you use the internet is through your computer’s open ports. Through these ports, your computer could be infiltrated by hackers, hijackers and potential identity thieves. It’s highly recommended that you install firewall software in order to protect your computer. If you’re running Windows, you may already have a built-in firewall that is protecting your computer.

9. Clear History in Your Internet Browser

To slightly increase the speed of your computer, you may have to adjust the history settings on your browser. By default, many internet browsers save your browsing history for a long period of time. Depending on which internet browser you’re running, there are several ways to delete your browsing history. In most cases, you will find it under the “Security” option, or by navigating to Tools > Internet Options > General.

10. Disable AutoStart Programs

When you turn on your computer, many programs may be starting and running in the background. The best way to allow your computer to start up fast (and run smoother) is to constantly check on which startup programs are enabled. In your start menu, type MSCONFIGinto the search box. You should see a box similiar to this one:

Navigate to the “Startup” tab in this window. You should see a list of all of the programs that are automatically starting up with your computer. Disable any of these programs that you don’t need, such as instant messenging services. Once you’ve made the chances, click “Apply“, then “OK“. Restart your computer for these changes to take effect.

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It’s estimated that around 75% of all Americans use their computer on a regular basis. However, a significantly smaller percentage of computer users are aware of the important steps needed to protect their computer’s security. A computer that is vulnerable can be negatively affected by computer viruses, spyware and hackers. In some cases, an improperly secured computer can also result in the theft of personal information, such as credit card or bank account numbers. Having a secure computer is an important step that you can take towards protecting your personal information. Here are five essential tips to help you understand how to protect your computer’s security.

Exercise Safe Internet Browsing
Due to the large amount of information on the internet, most computer users spend their time online. However, there are many malicious programs that may use your internet browser to infiltrate your computer. Always use a “secure” internet browser, and never download a file from a source that you aren’t familiar with.

Be Careful When Installing Programs
When installing software on your computer, it’s always best to exercise caution. Some programs may offer “add-on” features that promise to bring you useful information, or provide a service at no extra charge. Be aware that some of these programs are also designed to collect personal information, which may occasionally be used by a company to develop marketing information. Other programs may change the advertisements that you see on specific websites, based on your browsing history.

Install Anti-Virus Software
Having virus protection is a very useful way to ensure that your computer is protected against potential security issues. Many people do not have virus protection because many programs cost from $20 to $50 for basic levels of protection. However, there are also many free antivirus programs which can help to protect your computer. Here is a short list of some of the best (both free and paid) antivirus software programs.

Free Antivirus Software

• A-Squared Free (Site)
• Avira AntiVir Personal (Site)
• Avast! Free AntiVirus (Site)
• Microsoft Security Essentials (Site)

Paid Antivirus Software

• AVG AntiVirus (Site)
• McAfee AntiVirus (Site)
• Norton AntiVirus (Site)
• PC-cillin (Site)

Update Your Operating System
If you are running a Microsoft Windows operating system, it’s essential that you update on a regular basis. Keeping your version of Windows up to date can help protect your computer from potential vulnerabilities, and may also help improve the performance of your computer. If you don’t have automatic updates enabled, it’s highly recommended that you navigate to the Windows Update page on a regular basis. Your computer will be scanned, and you will be notified of any available updates for your specific version of Windows.  

Monitor Your Active Connections
In order to ensure that your computer is secure, it can be useful to monitor all of the active connections currently running on your computer. The process to do this is fairly simple:

1. Click on your Start menu.

2. In the “Run” or “Search All Programs” box, type “cmd” or “command”. You will then see a box similar to this one:

3. Type in “netstat”, and then hit the enter key.

4. You will then receive a list of your active connections, as well as their status.

5. If you are having trouble identifying what programs are using some of the connections (or are concerned that the connections may be from a spyware program), you can install a program that will help you to identify your connections. Some useful programs for this purpose include:

• FPort by McAffee (Site)
• Active Ports (Site)
• TCPView (Site)

All three of these programs are freeware, and should be able to help you identify your connections.

Sources:

http://contech.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/command-prompt1.jpg

http://www.foundstone.com/us/resources/proddesc/fport.htm

http://www.devicelock.com/freeware.html

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx

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If you’re a regular internet user, you have most likely already heard of the term “Spyware”. Though many people are aware that spyware can  negatively affect the performance of their computer, a very small percentage of internet users actually understand what it is. In fact, some people even believe that it involves “hackers” infiltrating their computer’s security. In reality, the truth is much different. Here is a general explanation of spyware, how it affects your computer, and what you can do to protect yourself against it.

What is Spyware?

The term “Spyware” is actually a casual term for adware. Adware is software that operates by gathering information (including behavior, viewing trends, personal information, browsing history, etc) about the user(s) of a specific computer. This software is often able to operate completely without the user’s knowledge. In some cases, the software may also change the settings or configurations of the computer it is present on.

Why is Spyware Dangerous?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated, since not all adware programs are dangerous. Some programs are simply designed to gather marketing information in order to be used by a company, or to cause targeted advertisements to show up while a user is browsing. However, there are some types of adware which may collect personal information, making you vulnerable to identity theft and/or credit card fraud. In addition to this, some spyware programs may cause your computer to crash or freeze on a regular basis.

How Does My Computer Get Spyware?

There are many methods that spyware may use to infiltrate your computer. Some of the most common methods include:

Freeware Programs
In some cases, the development of many “free” programs is funded by an agreement to bundle an adware program in the install package. You may see an option during the install of your freeware program, which may be something like,

“YES! Please give me the additional services of [Adware Program Name] at no extra charge!”

This may be in the form of a program designed to give you “Special Discounts”, or “Exclusive Deals”. Be wary of adding any extra programs during the install of a freeware program.

Internet Browser Toolbars
Many adware programs are designed to take the form of a toolbar that installs directly into your internet browser. These toolbars may provide customized search options, website suggestions or other services. It should be noted that the toolbar is able to provide these services because they are monitoring your browsing history and other information. Though not all toolbar adware programs are dangerous, you should still avoid them if you do not wish your browsing history to be tracked by the program.

Webpages
It’s possible for adware to be directly embedded into the code of a specific webpage. Some scripting languages may infiltrate vulnerabilities of your computer, installing directly by using your internet browser.

Email Attachments
Some email attachments may contain adware or even computer viruses. Once you open the attachment, the malicious program is installed onto your computer. This may be in the form of a funny movie, a cute picture or other message that will be frequently forwarded through a person’s email contacts.

How Can I Protect My Computer Against Spyware?

There are many methods that you may use to protect your computer from being infiltrated by spyware/adware programs. This includes:

• Using a Secure Internet Browser
• Installing Anti-Spyware Software**
• Only Opening Trusted Email Attachments
• Installing a Virus/Spyware Scanner with Real-Time Monitoring
• Using Common Sense When Browsing

  ** NOTE: Some “Anti-Spyware” programs are actually designed to install adware and other dangerous programs onto your computer! When choosing an Anti-Spyware program, be sure to read reviews of that program, and ensure that it is from a trusted organization. If there is a customer service number, you may want to contact them directly for more information about their software.

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