Prevent Spyware and Malware

According to Wikipedia, spyware is: "computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent." Spyware can be bundled with other software for free.

Watch this video about spyware from Microsoft. It defines spyware and what you can do to prevent it.

 

Value: 1

Please select all of the common signs that your computer may be infected with spyware. a. You see pop-up advertisements all of the time. b. You computer setting have changed and you can't change them back to the way they were. c. You web browser contains additional components that you don't remember downloading. d. You computer seems sluggish. [mark all correct answers]

The video recommends that you install antispyware software. Some good software that is available for free includes:

• Ad-Aware
• Spy-Bot Search and Destroy
• Windows Defender - this is part of the Windows Vista operating system
• Malware Bytes

According to Wikipedia, malware, "a portmanteau from the words malicious and software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent." Spyware and malware are both malicious types of software that are installed without your consent. Both should be avoided and both can slow your computer to a crawl.

Play this game: Beware of Spyware. On the next page is a game from OnguardOnline.gov that tests your knowledge of how to handle spyware.

 

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