How to Protect your Computer from Spyware and Adware Easily and Cheaply

We all are aware of Adware, Spyware, Trojans and Viruses and there are a lot of expensive programs to clean them and stop them. I have several PC's (both XP and Vista) and have basically "bullet-proofed" them with mostly FREE software that works as well or better than the expensive off-the-shelf or download software. This is a quick and easy way to set up your new machine or clean out your old machine, so that all of the bad stuff is stopped, you have a more secure computer that is faster and easier to use. I hope you enjoy this information and that it saves you time and money! If after you do all of this your computer is still slow running, it's likely you'll need to install more RAM (easy and cheap). XP runs best on 1GB of RAM, but will run OK on 500KB. If you have VISTA, get a minimum of 2GB of ram. If you are buying a new computer, make sure it comes with 2GB. Many of the budget PC's will only have 1GB which will run, but it's way too little. Send me a line if you'd like instructions on installing and buying RAM. It's a simple 10 minute plug and play installation that only requires a couple of tools. DON'T WASTE A $50-100 INSTALLATION FEE FOR SOMETHING YOU CAN SAFELY DO YOURSELF IN 10 MINUTES!!!!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• High-Speed Internet Connection

1. Download the following FREE programs:
   
   Alwil (AVAST) Anti-Virus (FREE Forever!!!)
   
   Spybot Search and Destroy (FREE Forever!!!!)
   
   PC Tools Spyware Doctor ($29.95 for full version-it's well worth it!)
2. FREE ANTI-VIRUS
   
   Uninstall all other anti-virus and anti spam programs such as Norton, Macafee, etc. They take a lot of memory to run, have a bunch of stuff you don't need and cost MONEY to continue to use. Completely uninstall them before you install AVAST. Most anti-virus products have real problems running while another product is running. Make sure you fully uninstall.
   
   First install AVAST (personal edition). It's a great program that will run resident in your tray and it's free. Also, updates and program upgrades are free. Set the settings so that it automatically updates. It will upgrade the database of virus signatures about once a day. After you install, you will be prompted to register. After you register, they will send you a product-key in your e-mail which activates the program. Instructions are provided (you just copy and paste the key into the program when it prompts you.
   
   Once you've fully installed, run One full scan of all of your folders. This will take a while, because it's going to find a TON of trojans, adware and viruses, especially in your user folders).
   
   Now you can leave it alone and let it do it's thing in the background. It'll stop just about anything and you don't even have to think about it. I'd suggest running a full scan about once every 3 months. You'll be prompted to renew your key every 12 months, but it's FREE to get a new key!
3. Spybot Search and Destory
   
   You can Google this one up and download a free version. This is one of the excellend spyware programs, as it scans, removes and is always on to protect your machine from over 100,000 types of Spyware and Adware. No Spyware program is perfect, but this combined with PC Tools Spyware Doctor (next step) will stop 99% of the bad stuff.
   
   To install it, just follow the instructions. When you get into the installation, you want to make sure you have the "tea-timer" box checked (this is the resident protection). After installation, the program allows you to make a registry backup (always do this!) and run a full scan of all of your computer folders. Set up the program to receive automatic updates of it's signature files or you can just go in the program and manually update using the program tool.
   
   After you run your first full scan you just check all the stuff it finds and hit the fix button. Great stuff and again FREE!
4. PC Tools Spyware Doctor ($29.95 downloadable)
   
   This is the "Cadillac" of Spyware programs, runs in the background (you run it right alongside of Spybot S&D). The combination of the two I have found to be plenty of protection. It's well worth the cost!
   
   Just Google PC Tools Spyware Doctor and download the home version. It won't remove stuff unless you buy it, but it will run and show you all the stuff it finds in the trial version. I highly suggest buying it.
   
   Follow the install instructions, set it up to auto-update. It's easy to install. It also automatically protects your machine by running resident in your tray.
   
   Use the program's tool to do a Registry Backup (restore point) and then run a full scan. After the scan, hit the fix button and remove all the junk, then just forget about it. I'd suggest running a full scan about once every 3 months. Make sure you set it up to auto update and it will do it's thing.
   
   Now enjoy your clean low-maintenace PC!!!!!
   
   In my next article, I'll show you how to speed up your machine and free yourself of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook. Both of these programs are unnecessary, slow your machine and have a constant flow of security flaws that hackers seem to find. I have alternatives that are better, easier to use and will reduce the load on your PC!!!!
   
   I'll also show you how to speed up your machine using a simple free program that allows you to easily stop those pesky, machine-slowing programs that run automatically in the background after you boot up. They use resources and you can stop them and run them from the program bar when you need them instead of them running all the time where you can't see them and slowing your machine down.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use the above programs' create restore point features before making changes. That way if you have an unforseen problem, you can go back to the point before you removed the spyware/adware. It's unusual for a problem to occur after using these tools to clean up your machine, but why take a chance? :)
• If you follow the instructions carefully for installation, it will be an easy process for even a novice to completely make a PC as safe as it can be. TAKE YOUR TIME AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PRECISELY AND EVERYTHING WILL WORK JUST FINE. DON'T RUSH IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS.