Thursday, September 27, 2007

Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making Computer Software

By: Lance Winslow
Currently many industries are developing artificial intelligence software and decision matrix protocols to evaluate and determine the best choice of action for a given scenario. In the future probability and complexity will be no match for such tools. One will be able to ask a question and get a relevant and best possible answer within extremely short amount of times. Even NASA scientists are now developing such software, which will be able to evaluate options for mining materials for life support, colony building materials and refueling in lunar factories.

The most advanced of these artificial intelligent decision-making computer software systems can now rate and compare more than five different types of lunar or Martian Base station manufacturing systems and compare components of each for the best possible choices. In the future more and more criteria will be added to insure the best possible decision for the situation. For instance using the Moon as our platform to manufacture in Space to service needs of Manned Mars Exploration.

Indeed, such systems will be good templates for future decision matrix artificial intelligent systems, which NASA can use to determine how to best use the materials, elements and compounds on other planets too, as mankind expands their horizons. With NASA using such AI decision programs to determine the best systems, which by the way they are now designing these things to make Business Decisions too; NASA should be able to evaluate the choices without the human politics of choosing systems.

Often when you mix politics, science and business you are asking for problematic situations in the bidding and design contracts, which are inherently corrupt; IE people, humans involved. Those who design such AI decision systems will need to consider the manipulation of criteria and how even those who exhibit the greatest level of integrity might justify it as the human mind of an individual is looking for financial gain or scientific status among peers.

These decision making matrix systems can take the human element out of such decisions and thus allow the negative innate characteristics of the species to screw up lesser important decisions, yet still feel in control for piece of mind. Undoubtedly those who program such systems will need to consider in advance the human animosity as they question the decision process and the AI systems decision?

Can humans design a system to make decisions that they will trust and that they will believe? Will these decision matrix systems stand the test of human being scrutiny? Human psychology predicts that if a human does not have a way out and has something to prove to save face or needs to be duly respected to fulfill personal desire that there will be issues with AI decision-making? Perhaps the biggest question maybe the interaction aspects as humans learn to trust such systems, without attempting to manipulate them to serve their will at the expense of the mission. Think on this.
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Spyware, Adware, and Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?

By: Steven Adam
The world we live in today is mostly governed by high-speed in almost every aspect. From the cars we drive to the internet that we use. It's all about speed, fast and now. Technology has taken steps in keeping up with the phase of modern human life. Because of the steady climb of the internet and information technology towards better and more convenient ways of mass transferring of data, photos, audio and video files and almost transferable and moveable piece of information over a network, people have also found numerous ways of keeping up with the drastically changing network environment.

But with all the technology present and ready for utilization anytime, anywhere, the number of malicious softwares like spyware, that are not necessarily viruses but poses the same level of threat if left to be challenged and unchecked, have also grown to triple their previous size and keeps on growing.

Malicious softwares are the kinds of softwares that automatically activate a link while we are on the internet. Their main function is to act like an annoying salesperson who wouldn't take no for an answer. They lead our computers to sites that have a hyperlink or permanently hyperlink a page for us. There are two distinct kinds of malicious software, one is the adware and the other one is the Spyware.

Although both act in the same direction, they do have differences. We are well aware of what a pop-up ad is and how it can be annoying at some point in the time we are using the internet. A pop-up ad however just pops up at random during any occasion that we are using the internet. Programmers have devised a way to insert a pop-up ad into the programming string of a webpage. They usually insert it in the beginning of a webpage. Programmers usually rewrite the whole programming string at the start of the webpage so it won't be noticeable to the real author. On the other hand malicious software like spyware and adware are independently programmed applications and doesn't need the help of a webpage to trigger its effects.

Spyware and adware works by entering your computer and constantly opens a link for an ad. Although spywares don't really affect your computer right away, unlike a virus where computers have the drastic and almost instant effects Spywares just sit inside your computer opening up links to and ad or directing you to it. One thing you'll notice is that the spyware is constantly getting in the way of your business and the spyware is pretty hard to detect because it does not contain the usual programming string normal viruses have. You could say that spyware is a hybrid program that confuses a normal anti-virus program.

Spywares get passed on to our computer virtually undetected, but software vendors have come up with a way of solving our spyware problems for us. They've come up with a spyware detection software that scans the computer for programming codes that would normally have a lot of hyperlinks.

Spywares are really a menace to us and our computers but with the right information and the proper tools we can protect our investment from spyware, adware and anything else they can come up with.
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The Never Ending Spyware Story

By: Doug Woodall
Its been with us since 1993, its gotten more intrusive, more complicated.

Its created a whole ecosystem, so to speak.

A person sits somewhere, writing a new virus, a new application of Spyware. It is put onto the Internet and Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware vendors begin to develop definitions to combat it, maybe even to stop it permanently. These fixes are incorporated into the new versions of the software they sell, or distribute as freeware.

Existing companies, businesses, and users struggle to keep up with what to use, overwhelmed, their lifeline to the Internet depends on it. In this portion of the ecosystem you have;

The end user. YOU!

Your Internet Provider, Hosting Service, ect.

The businesses on the Internet, all of em.

The existing companies and vendors providing the Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware Programs.

Adding to this ecosystem, new companies start up to get into the rapidly exploding business, marketing their own software.

More additions occur as new businesses start up to sell the software the companies have produced.

New and old online users buy upgraded and new software to try and protect their personal information from being stolen. Interlaced into all the above is the knowledge required to know how to protect ourselves with the basics. A hardware or software Firewall, Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware.

Whew! Ok, rest.

Point to ponder while resting.recent eWeek.com tests reveal that some Vendors are failing to provide solutions when it comes to finding and permanently destroying Viruses and Spyware.

Rested? Then lets look at it from another angle shall we?

Without the person somewhere in the world writing the virus or Spyware, there would be no need for the person that is writing the program to combat it. There would be no need for the company that employs the person writing the programs to combat the virus or Spyware. No need for the Businesses that sell the programs the company markets.

Still with me? Good. And finally, No need for the user, you, to protect yourself. I hope this lil exercise has proved informative.
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Spyware Symptoms

By: Gary Gresham
Spyware symptoms happen when your computer gets bogged down with spyware programs running in the background without your knowledge. Spyware, adware, malware and even spamware can cause your computer to behave very strange.

If you are experiencing any of these spyware symptoms listed below, chances are you have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

Slower Computer Performance

One of the easiest spyware symptoms to detect is if your system suddenly starts operating slower than usual. Spyware and Adware programs use a lot of your computer resources to track your activities and deliver pop up ads that slow down your computer and can even make it crash.

If you are getting a lot of program crashes, your computer is much slower than normal or your hard drive whirls away when you're not doing anything, these are common spyware symptoms.

E-Mail Symptoms

If you get a lot of bounced back email and see evidence of email being sent without your knowledge, then it's possible that you have spamware in your computer files.

Spamware can send spam messages from your computer and create a lot of headaches for you. Trojan spamware is very dangerous because it can steal a copy of your email address book and send it back to an email spammer.

New Desktop Shortcuts or Homepage

Some spyware programs add new shortcuts on your desktop. Browser hijackers actually change your default homepage you selected to a different homepage. Sometimes the program won't even allow you to change back to your original homepage.

Bombarded With Pop-Up Ads

Adware is another common spyware symptom that bombards you with pop-up ads often for adult or other objectionable web sites. Computer hijackers like this have huge system effects and can make your computer completely useless.

Unwanted Search Results

Computer hijackers can even change the results of your web search and suggest websites the hijacker wants you to see instead of what you actually searched for.

New Toolbars

Computer browser hijackers can also add new toolbars to Internet Explorer that you did not knowingly install. Sometimes it's next to impossible to remove them.

Spyware dangers have now moved ahead of viruses as the number one danger facing computer users today. Quality spyware protection software is designed to find all of these hidden programs and disable them before they have a chance to work.

If you experience even one of these spyware symptoms, your personal information and computer are completely at risk.
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Tips on Understanding the Dangers of Spyware and Adware

By: Paul W Wilson
Money is the very crux of adware and spyware. These pose several problems and are a security risk.

Adware is a program that displays advertisements on the computer whether you want them or not. They are not just connected to particular websites or free software but are programmed to start up whenever your computer is switched on.

Programs like Eudora mail client display advertisements in lieu of charging registration fees for use of software. It helps developers recover program development costs. Kazaa the file sharing application comes bundled with at least three ad-ware programs. Two of them serve ads to the desktop while another redirects the users browser to a search engine with advertiser sponsored web results. Well known ones are: BroadcastPC; Comet Cursor; GeoWhere; Network Essentials, 123 Messenger, Direct Revenue, and so on.

Unfortunately, other guises of adware are spyware and malware.

Spyware is a program code that relays information about you and your work without your permission or knowledge. Some just spy on you conveying your Internet habits to marketing companies, while others are thieves they access credit card information as well as other sensitive files. In plain terms, it is malicious software that can intercept or take control of a computers operation without user knowledge or consent. Termed as malware the redefinition of spyware, the programs can:

Steal personal information and the address book.
Flood the browser with pop-ups.
Spam the system.
Slow down programs and connection.
Hijack the browser and redirect the user to a con page.
Uses the computer as a server to broadcast porn.
Can cause a crash.

Spyware reaches a computer through innocent web pages, game demos, MP3 players, search tool bars, and other downloads like free software. It installs itself and leaves a mark on the windows registry. It can hog the computer resources such as memory and hard drive and cause a crash or lock up. Keystroke-logging spyware can steal passwords and credit card information for thieves.

To protect the files one has to:

Use anti adware and spyware programs. Examples: Spybot, Search and destroy, Pest Patrol, and Lavasofts Adware.
Keep windows as well as Internet explorer up-to-date by applying the latest security patches.
Maintain the security level of the Internet Explorer at medium. Users must not lower the security level.
Use firewalls and web proxies to block access to web sites known to carry spyware.
Install layered protection.
Update the antivirus program. An up-to-date program will stop spyware as well as Trojans.
Install a startup monitor to protect your system.
Never accept free as being free---check out free software and downloads, there will be a hidden surprise or catch.
Never download software from warez sites. Pirated software is always distributed along with adware and spyware.
Use Spy checker to determine if the download has spyware. This can be accessed from the free computer securities pages.

An anti-spyware coalition has been instituted by Microsoft, Earthlink, McAfee, and Hewlett-Packard. They are working towards anti-spyware legislation and putting protection systems in place. A survey shows that 87 percent of users know what spyware is and of this 40 percent through firsthand experience. Protect yourself and your work; keep your system free of adware and spyware.
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Spyware - Is It All Bad?

By: Michael Russell
Spyware is getting a lot of bad press. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I love the idea of spyware but most of it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Before I go on I guess I should give a brief, if incomplete definition of what spyware is. Spyware is a program or group of programs that monitor your computer and report back to the company that installed the spyware, all of your Internet activities such as search engine searches, purchases, or just simply sites that you visit.

Now the legitimate companies use this spyware as marketing tools to find out people's Internet viewing habits and quite honestly there's nothing wrong with that if used legally. Sure, some people may feel that their privacy is being invaded and might object to this and if that's the case they can always uninstall the spyware. Of course that's not as easy as it sounds. But I'll get into that later.

The real problem is the companies that use this spyware to steal your credit card and other private information for the purpose of charging items, using your account, and who knows what other illegal activities. Credit card theft is rampant and easier to do than most people would think. The illegal spyware programs are responsible for many of these thefts.

The even bigger problem than what is done with this spyware is even detecting that the spyware is on your computer to begin with. I'll give you an example of how you can innocently end up with spyware on your PC.

I was looking up some song lyrics one day and in order to view this particular song lyric the web site said that I had to download a special viewer but assured me that it would in no way harm my system. Now, I have Norton Security on my PC so if a program tries to attack me I am warned. Well, sure enough as soon as I tried to install this online viewer I was bombarded with attacks from the Internet. They wouldn't stop no matter what I did. Norton kept warning me but couldn't stop it unless I specifically pointed out each file I wanted access denied for. Finally I just let the installation complete. To make a long story short the viewer also installed spyware, that Norton reported to me, was sending info back to a site somewhere in Asia. I knew this wasn't good. So I stopped the program from transmitting and immediately got a spyware removal program to get rid of this monster. It took me 4 hours that night to clean up my PC.

Spyware removal programs are just that. They scan your PC for anything they recognize as spyware and remove it if they can. Some spyware can only be removed through the uninstall programs that comes with the spyware. Funny thing is, when you try to uninstall these programs, you get all these messages saying that the software REALLY isn't dangerous and you will lose all the benefits of the program, such as making your surfing experience faster. Trust me, the only thing these programs do is slow up your computer because they are constantly transmitting data.

Unlike viruses, security programs don't stop the spyware in it's tracks. You have to manually tell the system which files to disallow access to. This can be a real pain in the neck. So how DO you avoid getting hit with spyware? I wish there was an easy answer to this question. Security programs help but the best way to avoid it is to ONLY go to sites that you know you can trust. I'll never go look up song lyrics again where I have to install a viewer to see them.
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BHO's- Browser Helper Objects.

A "Browser Helper Object" is a DLL that allows developers to customize and control Internet Explorer. When IE 4.x and higher starts, it reads the registry to locate installed BHO's and then creates them. Created BHO's then have access to all the events and properties of that browsing session. The APIs for building BHO's are very cool -- they give developers almost complete control over Internet Explorer.

Applications which install BHOs are becoming more and more popular because BHOs allow application developers to control Internet Explorer. For example Alexa uses a BHO to monitor page navigation and show related page links. GetRight and Go!Zilla use BHO's to monitor and control file downloading. Flyswat, Quiver, Blink, iHarvest, etc use BHOs to extend and control Internet Explorer. BHO technology has allowed the development of some very powerful (and cool) applications.

BHOs don't require a user interface per se, though many install Internet Explorer toolbars. Therefore, its possible that there are BHOs installed on your system that you don't know about. What this means is that while there are some really good uses for these things, they may not necessarily need your permission to install and they can be used for malicious purposes like gathering info on your surfing habits.

A lot of spyware and BHO's are written quickly and poorly. This can cause anything from incompatibility issues to corrupting important system functions making them not only a threat to your security but to your systems stability. The programmers of spyware applications obviously do not care about you or your system other than as a source of marketing information so they do not error check most of their products.

Some companies go out of their way to hide the presence of the spyware BHOs that they install. They go so far as to find ways around the most popular detection tools by changing their product regularly just enough to avoid detection until the next version of the detection software comes out.
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Your PC is probably infected with adware & spyware if:

By: sevil123
What is Spyware and Adware?
Spyware and Adware is software made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, invade your privacy, and flood you with those horrible popups. If you are like most users on the internet, chances are you are probably infected with these applications. That is why we have designed our revolutionary product.

Why does Spyware and Adware affect every internet user?

All information you enter via the web can be intercepted

Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your desktop (icons)

Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your internet favorites

Your browsing activity can be tracked and monitored

Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval

Your personal information can be sold to other parties without your knowledge or consent

Your default homepage and settings can be hijacked so you can't
change them

These malicious components not only invade your PC so they can not be removed, but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC!
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Spyware is on the Attack!

By: Isaiah Henry
Do you know what spyware is all about? Well, I can assure you if you enjoy downloading anything for free off the internetbrace yourself, because you probably have a few these malicious programs crawling through your PC this very moment.

Some creators of spyware do not care about your PC security or privacy. Spyware is their intelligent tool to make money at the expense of your privacy being destroyed.

Their most popular maneuver is to pin the coat tail of another seemingly innocent program. These carriers, freeware or shareware, are usually free programs off the internet. The biggest of the freeware used would be free porn, games & file sharing applications. Believe it or not, it is a legal way of advertising is most scenarios.

Like most folks, you download a free program in hopes of finally receiving something free in life. Then you click to install the freebie, but there is a small stomp in your waythe license agreement. Just like any brave soldier, you click the I Agree button without actually reading the long set of words. And thus the spyware has legally invaded your home.

Usually spyware either displays advertising or it tracks what you are doing. Ever notice pop up windows suddenly appears on your computer? This is from spyware trying to get you to buy something. Other spyware tracks everything you are doing online and transmits the information to an advertising company.

Spyware can also gather email addresses in your address book, as well as passwords and other information off your computer and transmit it without your knowledge.

How do I know if I have spyware on my computer?

Here are the warning signs of spyware:

1) Pop ups even when you are not browsing the Internet

2) Toolbars and/or icons appear on your browser or desktop out of nowhere

3) Web browsing seems slower and your PC appears to have inherited a turtle gene

4) Your browser constantly goes aloft with advertising with sites.

5) Settings have changed on your PC even when your kids are not home

6) Advertising appears everywhere on your computer

If any of these symptoms are visible, do something!

Do what?

1) Get a reputable firewall program for your PC. If you have a Windows computer that was built within the last five years, then there is already a firewall built-in. Just make sure it is not disabled. Also virus protection software have firewalls integrated into the application.

2) Never click on popup advertisements. If you click, they will know that you are a real person, and you will just get more.

3) Stay away from free downloads. There is no such thing as free! Make sure to do some research first to determine the legitimacy of the software.

4) Keep your PC up-to-date. It is wise to keep your automatic update feature turned on.

5) Use anti-spyware software. Most virus checking programs also check for spyware. Numerous other programs are available.

Never click on or purchase spyware cleaning programs that come from spam email or from popups! These are so-called spyware cleaning program are themselves spyware! Make sure that you buy spyware cleaning software from a reputable company or youll end up making your problems worse!

Good antispyware provide you with a scheduling feature that enables you to automate the spyware scanning of your computer.
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Sunday, September 16, 2007

Cursor Freezes Up On The Computer

By: Karl Sultana
The answer is pretty simple. All computer crashing and hanging problems occur because of similar reasons.
Not just the cursor but also windows, programs and everything can crash if your computer is not up to date. Or has a lot of junk files, downloads, pictures and useless information. Or you do not do any computer maintenance. (It does not refer to cleaning your keyboard).
Steps to take now:
Clean the Junk from your computer by following:
Removing temporary internet files using Disk Cleaup.
Removing unwanted (you do not use) folders, files, shortcuts, software, games, programs, icons, images, videos, downloads and all you can find on your computer that is useless. However delete only things you that you know they are safe to be removed.
That should not only fix the cursor that hangs but also improve your computer performance. Cleaning your computer, maintaining it in good shape will ensure it never crashes and works at its best.
Your cursor freezes when the computer has problems. If problems occur often it is because your computer is not at its best performance.
In rare cases it can be a spyware/adware or some critical objects. So you need to scan your computer with an anti adware and spyware
software and also with an antivirus software.
Temporary Solution
1) Click Start, then Click Control Panel
2) Double Click Mouse
3) Enable the cursor trail
You will be able to see your mouse, even after the original cursor freezes on screen.
Steps that can fix the problem.
This may also solve your problem. ONLY do if you are sure that you know how.
1) Right Click on MyComputer icon. Then Click Properties.
2) Click on Hardware Tab, then Click on Device Manager.
3) Uninstall your mouse AND keyboard. Connect your mouse directly to the USB.
Then reboot your computer (restart) and let the mouse reinstall automatically.
Keep your computer in shape and you will have less problems.
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Poor Computer Performance - 9 Free or Inexpensive Fixes

by Jed Jones
Poor computer performance by your Windows-based machine can sneak up on you gradually. You may find its performance deteriorating increasingly until one day you realize you must fix it or buy a new one. Signs of poor performance can include applications running very slowly, programs closing or freezing up suddenly, and a generally slower response time to OS (operating system)-related commands. I have compiled 9 fixes for you here that you can leverage right now to greatly improve your computer's performance.

Fix #1: Download and run MS Service Pack 2: Every operating system requires patches and upgrades by its maker from time-to-time, with Microsoft XP being no exception. While Service Pack 2 was released in 2002, some people with older systems are still not running it: make sure your computer is. You can download it FREE from Microsoft's Web site.

Fix #2: Run the Disk Cleanup utility: Your computer likely has a number of unused and unneeded files that take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow performance. Run your FREE, built-in Disk Cleanup utility to automatically remove these files. Find it by going to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Cleanup and following the prompts.

Fix #3: Defragment your hard drive: Over time, your computer will store files in an increasingly inefficient manner on your hard drive, affecting file retrieval times and other performance factors. To fix this, you need to defragment your hard disk drive. To do this for FREE, just go to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter. First, highlight the drive you want to clean up (e.g., C drive) and choose Analyze. Once complete, choose Defragment. Note that the defragmentation process could take up to an hour or more, so do this during a time when you can step away from your computer.

Fix #4: Run an anti-virus tool: Computer viruses are malicious programs that drastically affect your computer's performance, either all at once or insidiously over time. You can stop a virus attack by installing and running anti-virus software which performs regular scans, locates the offending viruses and quarantines them. Symantec's world class antivirus tools are an excellent choice.

Fix #5: Clean your registry: Your computer's registry is a tool that most non-computer specialists never see but which is vitally important to computer operations. Your registry stores settings and options for your hardware, operating system, and other software. Unfortunately, given its fundamental role in the performance of your system, your registry is often the target of attack or infection. To thoroughly and automatically clean your registry, run a regular registry scan using a registry cleaning tool. You can find a number of excellent products by doing an Internet search. Look for one that offers a free scan.

Fix #6: Run anti-spyware software: Spyware is computer software that installs itself in your computer and performs a number of unwanted functions, including monitoring your computer usage and interfere with your control. It represents a real threat and has become a significant problem in recent years. Fortunately, fixes are easy to find and include a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware programs. Try SpyBot Search & Destroy, great free product.

Fix #7: Increase your computer's memory: Today's applications require more and more memory (RAM) to run. If your computer is more than two years old or if you selected the minimal memory option upon purchase, you might benefit from adding another 1 GB or more to your computer. Check online or at your local computer dealer for pricing.

Fix #8: Clean your hard drive: More comprehensive than the Disk Utility tool introduced above, cleaning your hard drive with professional cleaning software is a great way to improve performance. Try CCleaner for free by doing an Internet search.

Fix #9: As a last resort, re-format your hard drive: If after trying all of the above items and your computer still performs poorly, a last resort is to completely reformat your hard drive. Warning: proceed with caution since this action will erase your entire hard drive, including your operating system (OS)! If you decide to take this route, consult an online tutorial for how-to steps. At minimum, remember two things: be sure to back up all of your files and applications and retain a copy of your OS on CD so that you can re-install it later.
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Thursday, September 13, 2007

Free Ware Best Registry Cleaner

Scan at tips get rid of internet explorer script error. The only job left for the user to do is to manually run the Registry cleaner from time to time
Your personal computer saves all the processes that are happening within it. The operating system has its own log of these programs running, and changes that are happening within it. What is a registry cleaner? First you must understand what a registry is. A registry is an applet within your compendium pack of an operating system. Within the term itself registry registers the processes that take place. It also takes note of the automatic processes that are happening in your PC and are running in the background. Think of the registry as a big notebook of your PCs to-do list and it logs everything into it. This is called compressing the registry. Free scan at windows error messages fatal login error hr 3d. Here is where you will be educated on the use of a registry cleaner utility and where you can get one.
Downloading one of these registry cleaners takes no longer than a couple of minutes depending on your internet connection and then it takes just a few seconds to install. Registry Repair Utilities Once you have made the decision to fix Windows Registry errors on your system, you will need to know something about how to go about it. Although some versions of Windows provide built-in background system utilities designed to maintain Registry structure and stability, these utilities only address the most basic Registry problems in the most primitive ways, making them insufficient when a Registry becomes very large and complicated. However, there are many third-party Windows Registry repair utilities available on the Internet that are inexpensive and easy to use. See http://www.registryrepairtool.info/free-registry-cleaner/sharewhare-registry-cleaner.php. So uninstalling the Spyware from the programs folder is not enough the ware must also be removed from the registry and there is no better way to do this than with a Microsoft Spyware removal tools
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Free Internet Security Software

There are amazing free internet security software products available in any category imaginable. If you select the proper combination of quality free products you will be provided protection as good as or better than that afforded by the purchased alternatives.

You must realize that there is a wide range in the quality and performance of free software, so you need to stick with products that have been tested and have an established track record or at least have been developed by an organization that has previously proven themselves. It is difficult to tell if most internet security products are performing as expected. For example, if a game is not working properly you will be able to immediately tell because the game will not play correctly. In contrast, if a firewall or antivirus program fail to function properly you may not have any idea until long after your computer has been compromised. This certainly is a risk that few of us can afford to take.

I like to think of internet security as a triangle with the three main categories making up the three corners and the secondary categories lying on the lines of the triangle or within the security triangle. The three corners are antivirus, firewall and antispyware. The differentiation between product classes has begun to blur and there are many combination products especially among those sold commercially. To simplify our discussion and allow us to look at a number of unique free products we will look at them as distinctly unique product classes. There is excellent free software to satisfy our triangle concept with this article focusing on a couple of the top products in each category.

There are about 15 free antivirus products that are worth considering with a few other specialized products that also fit best into this antivirus group. My favorite free antivirus product without question is Comodo Antivirus. Comodo is involved in the high end enterprise area of the internet and decided to provide this antivirus product free to help make all consumers safer while online. The bottom line is that Comodo gets a lot of goodwill and free publicity from making such a great product available free of charge. It is a win-win situation! This antivirus product detects and eliminates viruses from desktops and networks, protects with real-time on access scanning, uses proactive heuristic analysis to intercept unknown threats, has host intrusion detection to block malware before it can run, and provides automatic daily updates of virus definitions. The other free antivirus product that I will touch on here is from PC Tools well known for their Spyware Doctor and also Registry Mechanic. In this case there is also a paid version that has direct customer support and faster updates but the two products themselves function the same whether free or paid. PC Tools Antivirus Free Edition provides world-leading protection, with excellent database updates, OnGuard real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your system remains safe and virus free. This product is Vista compatible.

There have been many changes in the category of free firewalls with a number of popular free products no longer available and a few new arrivals to take their place. There are about 15 free firewall software products that I feel are worth considering. The two free firewalls that I prefer are Zone Alarm Free Edition which now is Vista compatible and has been a #1 choice for a number of years. It has proven itself as real winner practically defining the firewall class. The other free firewall I would like to mention is the Comodo Firewall, which like their antivirus software mentioned above, is fully functional yet free. The Zone Alarm Firewall is a reliable but basic product that lacks some of the features of their higher-end retail products. This is not to say that there is any type of reliability or quality issue just that it is feature limited. Comodo's firewall on the other hand is in no way a limited feature product in fact it has some of the most sophisticated features of any firewall free or paid! Many reviewers consider it the best software firewall in existence.

There are almost two dozen good free antispyware products available. One feature of antispyware software compared to antivirus and firewall software is that more than one antispyware product can usually be used at the same time. I currently use Windows Defender from Microsoft, Spybot Search and Destroy and Spyware Terminator all running at the same time. They work fine together on my particular system with no performance hit or other problems.

Picking any one product from each of the three primary groups above should give you a more than adequate triangle of internet security protection.
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Monday, September 10, 2007

The Adware Threat

Adware can be basically defined as software that tracks your activities on the Internet so that it can trigger off pop-up ads and other marketing-related actions. The Internet has many free adware removal tools, which can help you run a scan to remove adware.

When your computer slows down and behaves strangely, chances are you have adware installed. You didn't ask for it, but neither did you ask for new toolbars, websites you don't recognize, continuous popups! Read on to know just how annoying and dangerous adware can be.

Adware doesn't let your computer respond quickly to your commands. When you click to go to a website, it takes you elsewhere and you wonder why. Adware presents you with toolbars you never asked for and keeps adding strange new websites to your favorite folder so that it looks like you gave it permission to be there. Here's the worst part - it steals your personal information, spies on you and sells this information to advertisers who can then irritate you with a flood of advertisements that they think you are interested in.

Nobody Is Spared From Adware

Practically every computer that connects to the Internet has loads of spyware and adware getting into it, collecting confidential information from the user. This can be in the form of information about browsing habits, or more serious threats like spying on your credit card number, and other personally identifiable information so that it can misuse it and put you in danger.

Adware can be basically defined as software that tracks your activities on the Internet so that it can trigger off pop-up ads and other marketing-related actions. It installs components in your system without your being aware of it so that it can collect personal data like surfing habits and other demographics. Saying no when adware asks you has nothing to do with what it does. It just goes right ahead and installs itself in your system.

In recent times, adware and spyware have been evolving so fast that it is more than adware removal tool manufacturers can do to keep up with them. Adware poses a major security risk to any computer and every user must make it a point to ensure that he or she runs a scan to clear their systems from adware and spyware. The Internet has many free adware removal tools, which can help you do this. But you've got to be cautious in selecting a reliable vendor. There's every chance that a vendor who promises to remove all the adware from your computer will do just the opposite - that is, install more spyware and adware. Reliable adware removal tools can protect you against unwanted intruders like adware in your system.

Look around and compare the features of various paid adware removal tools available. While some free adware removal software will only scan your computer and present you with the results, they won't actually clean it from your computer until you buy it. Beware of this ruse.
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Spyware versus Adware

Have you ever had pop up after pop up on your computer screen? Or have you ever seen it happen on someone else’s? This is something that is happening everyday. What is it? It is either Adware or Spyware.

What is Spyware?
Spyware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then send the information that is gathered over the internet back to companies. The companies then bombard computers with advertisements.

What is Adware?
Adware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then automatically install advertisements onto the computer.

Spyware and Adware: What is the difference?

You may be thinking that the definitions of spyware and adware sound very similar. They are similar indeed. The only difference between the two is that adware does not report to the company, instead it bypasses that and automatically loads the ads onto the computer.

So, what's the big deal? Spyware and adware are taking computers over. The more adware or spyware that is loaded onto the computer, the longer it takes for the machine to go through its start up process. New toolbars appear in the browser. The homepage is changed and cannot be changed back. Pop-ups will not go away when the computer is running. It can slow your machine and your level of productivity down.

Isn’t Spyware and Adware just a way to advertise?

Spyware and Adware are an effort to advertise. Think about it this way though. Do you want to be spied on? That is exactly what is happening. Every move you make on your computer is watched, and then based on your computer activity, you receive pop-up ads. Now, ask yourself this question 'If you are watching television, do you have to watch the commercials?' No, of course not. You can choose whether you want to watch the ads, flip to a different channel or turn the television off. Okay, now, if you are driving down the road are you required to look at the billboards? No, you can completely ignore them. Advertising in and of itself is not a bad thing. It becomes a negative thing when people are forced to watch, see or read the advertisements. That is what happens with adware and spyware. The harder you try to eliminate the pop-ups, the more pop-ups you have to deal with. The simple truth is that it's not really fair to force people to watch advertising.

What do the companies that make the Spyware and Adware say?

You might wonder about the response from the companies who create such products. They say that all they are doing is advertising. They are actually the ones who coined the term adware. Spyware was coined in order to get people’s attention and alert them to what spyware was doing to their computers. In an effort to redeem themselves, the companies created the adware that does not “spy” in that it does not report the computer activity to someone, but instead automatically installs the advertisement. They said that adware is simply to advertise and that some people just do not like advertisements. They claim that their software is legitimate.

So, is the software legitimate?

Well, let’s take a look at what these companies do. Many will install root kits in an effort to adware files so that the computer user does not find them. If it is legitimate then why do they need to hide the files? Adware often puts more than one file into the memory. Then, if one process is canceled out, another can kick in and restart it. If the files are changed, then they are changed back. If it is legitimate then why do the companies take such extreme measures to make it hard for you to remove their software? The adware takes over the computer by displaying pop-up after pop-up after pop-up. The pop-ups become so numerous that no matter how many you close you can not get them to go away because closing them causes more to open. The software causes bogs up the computer memory and eventually causes the computer to crash. If computers are crashing due to the software, then is this really legitimate?

What You Can Do About It

I cannot stop the companies from loading the adware and spyware by myself. You can not stop them from loading the software by yourself either. However, together we can inform people what spyware and adware is. Then, we all need to take a stand against it.
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Adware, Spyware and Monitoring Software

Everybody seems to have heard about spyware now. Media publish loads of surveys, "how to"s, and horror stories about the victims. Readers are supposed to know exactly what terms like "spyware", "adware", "malware" mean. Alas, their meanings may vary from article to article, from author to author-- some of them still use these terms interchangeably. It is not correct. Being an employee of an anti-spyware developing company, I guess I know this matter well enough to point that out.

The spyware problem is much broader and more complex than we think it to be; it isn't all about unwanted advertising, pop-ups, etc., etc. It isn't all about privacy, either. Adware by no means equals spyware. One needn't be a genius to suspect it. Adware is more annoying than really dangerous -- though it slows down PCs and drives people crazy. Programs used for targeted advertising, such as adware or cookies, make only a tiny part of existing programs which are usually called spyware, and the purposes they are used for are the most innocuous, I should say.

In my opinion, these programs should better be called "trackware" or something like that -- they keep track of PC users' activities (to target advertising better) but not actually spy. You disagree? Well, your browsing habits, things you buy online--all this stuff certainly is your private business. If somebody else uses this info to bombard you with ads, you get angry. You are quite right. One more question: what private info you value more--your browsing habits or your credit card number?

Social security numbers, credit card numbers, your bank accounts, passwords, another valuable (in the direct sense) data--can easily be stolen by means of software programs specially created for stealing data. That's what I usually mean when talking about "spyware." These programs spy--they log every your keystroke or mouse click, make screenshots, compile a neat log-file and send it to the person who installed the program (as a rule, remotely) on your PC.

Compared with keyloggers, adware seems pretty innocent, doesn't it? Even hijacking a browser looks like petty offence. To visualize difference between adware stuff and keylogging spyware just compare a juvenile delinquent and, say, a terrorist.

In view of that, software products which make possible unwanted advertising are rather distant relatives of real spyware. Cousins, so to speak. Second cousins twice removed, to be more precise. What about brothers and sisters?

Spyware has very much in common with monitoring software -- legitimate software products widely used for parental control, workplace surveillance, Internet access control, etc. They pretty often are based on the same technology. They are so similar, that a spy program can sometimes be used for monitoring purposes, and vice versa. So, what is the difference, if there is any?

There is a vague line between monitoring products and spy products -- this is the line between security management and security violation. However, there are two specific program functions that are typical to spy programs.

First, it is possible to carry out preliminary configuration of the monitoring module (it is usually called client, agent etc.), getting a compiled executable file as a result. This file, when installed, doesn't display any messages or create windows on the screen. It "hides itself" and "shows no signs of life". It is impossible to notice whether the particular PC is being secretly monitored or not. Of course, the user is not aware of being spied -- until the consequences show up.

Second, spy software always has built-in means of remote installation; as a rule, the pre-configured module (agent) is installed into the target PC remotely. Then the files with obtained information are sent via local network or emailed to the person who installed the spy program.

Last, but not least-- spyware is always used illicitly and behind the user's back-- here monitoring is performed by a person who has no right for it. Unlike spyware, legally used monitoring programs are almost never used secretly. Though in many states your boss doesn't break any law when he installs monitoring devices or software without your consent and never tells you about it, it happens not very often. As a rule, people at work are aware of being under surveillance. Managers are very likely to tell a new employee that there are things that he or she had better not do -- because there are means of finding that out. Kids know what websites they had better not visit--for the same reason. Remove these functions -- and you will get a monitoring program instead of spyware. If it is impossible to pre-configure the monitoring module and install it remotely; if you should have administrator privilege to install the program, it is monitoring software, not spyware.

Though the basic principle is often the same, purposes differ greatly. Monitoring software is most frequently used in large and middle-sized companies to ensure information security and local network accountability. At home more and more parents install it as a "life jacket" for their web-surfing kids. You probably use such a program already, or going to. Use it, but remember about the illegitimate relative of so useful and absolutely legal monitoring program installed on your own PC.
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Estimator viruses and antivirus

Don't worry; technological diseases have nix to do with your personal health, unless you are a computer owner and your nervousness break down easily! ! See, once your computer gets connected with the global earnings it faces various threats and attacks from unfriendly microelements walking freely through the cyber space and seeking for new victims. It doesn't help if you wash your hands before touch the keyboard; the little monsters called computer viruses could be defeated in their own methods. This is where the blade and shield aren't able to help your romantic tendencies and the only way to get rid of this gross injustice is to accept a battle with electronic weapons! While computer viruses behave pretty much like biological ones, they need special treatment that admits no analogy in biological terms. As insidious as their biological correspondents, they infect every living cell and paste around in record time. Thusly, if you really need a functional pc, you should procure some electronic pills to get your work safe. In this case you cannot become a faithful guardian to your machine until you have installed an antivirus program skilled enough to detect viruses, worms and Trojan horses - all "trustful" members of a happy family unit! It is important to keep clear about the differences between these sorts of malware, in order to protect your computing machine from them all. Viruses, as we used to know them when first dealing with a computer are no more that widely spread since the Net became popular. Once again: you need an antivirus that helps against viruses, worms and Trojan horses (not only viruses)! See the slight differences in methods and effects: Viruses intend to destroy your data. They act in dodgy movements and this is how the predominant negative effect of viruses is their uncontrolled self-reproduction, which wastes or overwhelms computing device resources, until your cyber work space doesn't leave you elbow room for your actions. But since we've got Internet link we have to deal with the most popular visitors from "out there"! Introduce yourself to malicious worms: worm uses a network to send copies of itself to other systems and it does so without whatever intervention, thus, you stay helpless face to face with it. In general, worms harm the network and consume bandwidth, whereas viruses infect or corrupt files on a targeted computer. Viruses generally do not affect network performance, as their malicious activities are mostly confined within the target computer itself. And here is the moment when the masquerade starts: Trojan equus caballus is a malicious program that is disguised as legitimate software system. Trojans use false and sham names to trick users into dismissing the processes. In most cases the program performs former, undesired functions, but not always. The useful, or seemingly useful, functions serve as camouflage for these undesired functions. Spell some of them are in particular benign or simply annoying, others are extremely harmful and deadly dangerous. In analogy, just compare a regular cold with pneumonia� no need to mourn for you computer! What it truly needs is an anti-virus security. Remember, they are active in this certain moment, when you're peacefully typing. Hurry up to get protected and try out PC Tools AntiVirus 2.0 as a fair

Pick out Adware Removal Spyware

How not to get spyware Last you need to install and run a good spyware/adware removal program. The results displayed by a spyware/adware removal program tin be disheartening. Step 1: The first thing to do is download a free and trustworthy adware and spyware removal program. Download and run an adware or spyware removal program. A dictionary suspicious adware removal winfixer behavior consists of the replacement of the adware removal winfixer spyware program designs came. Download and run an adware or spyware removal program. GoodBye Spy is a multi-adware removal program, which supports the removal of spyware, adware, Brotherware, and more. private headers, program adware removal, program to remove spyware, send off insomnia, psyware, pyware, redsheriff, referee update, reffile. Thither are some utilities specifically designed for adware and spyware removal from your computer. Fortunately, in that location are many options for prevention and the safe removal of Spyware/Adware from your computer. Confer with their websites and especially the Help sections for details on how to use these spyware/adware removal tools to scan your computer. All spyware/adware removal package will require periodic updating, standardised in concept to updating virus definitions, so always check for updates before scanning your reckoner. The easiest and best direction to fully detect and take away spyware/adware from a computer is to use adware removal software package like Ad-Aware or PestPatrol. Calculator repair support for removal of adware and spyware. and protect yourself from scumware and all sorts of adware spyware, a super adware spyware removal tool for your ! If you would rather not peruse endless folders or risk re-infection, a trusted tool such as Spyware Doctor should be used for adware removal. Best disengage adware and spyware removal puppet downloads. The removal tool will eliminate any adware or spyware that you have in your machine for good. This spyware and adware removal tool detects and removes of security threats such as spyware, adware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, tracking cookies, and trojans. Choose among the listed applications to cover these bases: adware, spyware, espial, removal, protection. OVERVIEW MyCleanerPC Go-ahead is a comprehensive spyware/adware detection and removal system for small, medium and large enterprises. Sleuthing, prevention and removal of spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, and tracking cookies. Malware, adware, spyware, trackware, thiefware, and Big Brotherware signal detection and removal utility with multilanguage support. SpyBuster 3.0 has been rebuilt from scratch to give users the ultimate in detection and removal of spyware and adware components.

PC tools Spyware Doctor

Spyware and adware can not only report your activities without your knowledge, but they can also bring your system to a crawl. If you're among the majority of users who don't have adequate spyware protection, Spyware Doctor might be worth a look.

Spyware Doctor installs quickly and easily and immediately offers a scan. The default download scans all drives, which can be time consuming if you have external hardware drives. Registered users can customize the scanning process (via the start scan button) to search likely locations of spyware or specify particular drives.

After the scan, spyware details the threats it finds by category and danger level. If you purchase the product, spyware will let you remove the threats it finds, offering to create a system restore point first.

Spyware Doctor's OnGuard utility will block spyware and adware programs as they hit your PC using seven components you can enable or disable individually. They provide formidable protection, blocking cookies and spyware, stopping programs from executing at startup, blocking invaders from hijacking your network connection and more.

Spyware Doctor doesn't allow much customization and may be too aggressive for some users. Spyware Doctor did a decent job of discerning between beneficial and malicious tracking. However, with tracking cookies, there were several false positives, and you cannot unmark for deletion (or easily mark for exception) individual items. Users who don't want to lose cookies with stored preferences from benign sites will either need spend more time on exception management or else exclude tracking cookies from their cleaning sessions altogether.
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Sunday, September 2, 2007

Anti Spyware: The Key Facts

Spyware is relatively new to the classification of malicious code since it has traditionally been considered harmless. Spyware was thought to be a legal method of packaging software and vendors have been concerned with the legal aspects of preventing spyware from running. Since the dangers of spyware to exploit your computer system have been recognized, many vendors have moved forward with the production of anti spyware solutions. These solutions are available with various degrees of accuracy in detecting and eliminating spyware. Variations exist in the time necessary to complete a computer system scan and the number and types of malicious code that may be detected. In the same manner that new spyware is evolving, vendors are also developing new methods and spyware definitions to combat spyware. Some anti spyware software, particularly free software and downloads, are only capable of detecting spyware. They are not able to delete spyware programs or to correct the effects of spyware, such as modifications to your operating system or web browser. To protect your computer system from spyware you need to install the newest anti spyware software. Older anti virus software does not provide protection against spyware. Spyware does not necessarily propagate as typical viruses do. However, spyware will degrade the performance of your system and provide methods for others to infect your system with viruses. The newest antivirus programs offer some type of protection against spyware and most web browsers, firewalls and ISPs provide free anti spyware software. Though anti spyware software is advertised as part of many security suites, it is your responsibility to ensure that any chosen anti virus software actually includes an anti spyware solution.

The installation of most anti spyware software is similar to the installation of antivirus software. Anti spyware software is not as efficient at detecting spyware as some antivirus software are at detecting viruses, but neither type of software is completely foolproof. Like anti virus software, anti spyware software may be configured to run regularly and to automatically update to provide real time detection and protection. You may also be able to configure the software to meet your individual needs. If you are not familiar with your chosen anti spyware software you are encouraged to use its default settings and modify those settings as you become more familiar with the software. Full anti spyware scans should be scheduled on at least a weekly basis as well as on system boots.

Anti spyware software may alert you to spyware that you may want to keep resident on your computer. There are some applications, such as games and other file sharing applications, that perform spyware activities and will fail to function if the spyware is removed. When installing such applications, they may generate spyware detection alerts. If such an alert occurs during a software installation, you must determine the risk potential of having spyware resident on your system versus the need to install the application before continuing with the installation. If you install an application and then remove the embedded spyware, an anti spyware solution is likely to let you restore the application if it no longer functions. You must research the application and determine if the risk potential outweighs the benefit of keeping the application resident. Spyware-Guide.com, Pestpatrol.com and other vendor websites provide information on the extent of compromise posed by known spyware.

Some spyware has been shown to be robust and sometimes multiple scans are necessitated to detect and remove malicious code. Installing multiple anti spyware software will assist in providing the best spyware protection. Free anti spyware software may be downloaded from some websites. Some trusted websites provide anti spyware software that is as effective as commercial solutions though the free software may not provide as many options and configurations or the speed of scans. Unlike with antivirus software, the installation of multiple anti spyware software has not been shown to degrade performance of computer systems or cause internal conflicts.

If spyware is already resident on your computer system and anti spyware software don't seem effective in ridding your system of the nuances associated with the particular spyware, you may need to manually remove malicious code from your computer. Some spyware is known to be particularly difficult to get rid off and requires specialized tools for removal. A search of websites may produce a listing of sites that provide instruction for ridding your computer system of these particular types of spyware.
by Anthony P Mullen
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Saturday, September 1, 2007

What Anti Spyware Software Does

There are many kinds of PC security software that prevents people from an outside source being able to track your web patterns. Spyware presents a major threat to your privacy and your ability to freely surf the web. Anti-spyware software prevents these spyware programs, which you inadvertently download, from being able to install themselves in your system.

Unlike viruses, which are contained within program downloads, spyware files piggyback onto a variety of sources. Many websites install "cookies," which are small files that track your usage of the website. These cookies are generally not malicious but do invade your privacy. They can be considered a form of spyware. Other spyware files are more dangerous, designed to track your overall internet behavior or even record keystrokes for purposes of stealing your passwords and/or gaining access to files on your system. This type of spyware is often attached to free software downloads or clickable popup ads.

In some cases, the line between spyware and adware becomes fuzzy and undistinguishable. Adware monitors your shopping patterns to create popup advertising that is customized to your needs. Strictly speaking, adware is not spyware since the focus is on creating advertising rather than tracking your movements. Then again, since the adware invades your privacy by noting your habits, it could be considered a non-malicious form of spyware similar to website cookies.

Unlike viruses, spyware files generally cause no noticeable damage to your system. Your computer's performance may be somewhat slowed or otherwise affected, but you will not notice a loss of data or system crash. This means that without appropriate anti-spyware software, spyware files may linger undetected for weeks, months or even years. Even if you happen to detect spyware on your own, uninstalling the files can be tricky. The piggyback nature of spyware makes the malicious file difficult to remove without uninstalling the wanted file to which it is attached.

Since spyware is difficult for the user to detect and remove, anti-spyware software is required. This PC security software will scan your system regularly for spyware files and remove them. Most anti-spyware software can be set to remove adware as well.

Free anti-spyware software is available from many sources across the internet. Be sure that you trust the source prior to downloading the file, however, or you could end up with more spyware piggybacked to the utility that is supposed to remove spyware! This is an uncommon occurrence, however, and many free anti-spyware programs perform comparably to purchased products.

Whether you choose a free or purchased anti-spyware program, there a few things you should look for to determine whether the program will meet your needs. The most important features are functionality and effectiveness. You want a program that will consistently monitor your system as an antivirus program does, blocking the majority of spyware from ever entering your system. The program should also give you the option of allowing or blocking suspected files, since no program can be 100% accurate in its determination of what is actually a spyware file.

The ability to customize the program is important, as is the ability to schedule full system scans at your own convenience. The program should be easy to install and use, and should offer regular updates. Finally, there should be a user's manual or website available in case you have questions about the program.

If you feel like you're computer is loaded with spyware, then go ahead and spend the money to get a program that will clean it. Going forward you can then protect yourself by using a system of computer firewalls and anti-spyware software to prevent the installation of new spyware. Don't put it off. The security of your private information is at stake.
by Denise Nuttall
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