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Secure Your Computer
 Installing
a good antivirus program is half the battle against virus infiltration.
Stay up to date. All the major AV products can check for updates automatically. Make sure this feature is active - although if you hear about a new outbreak, you'll want to force an update immediately. Don't let the software age into oblivion. Why bother buying the latest version, when you can just update virus signatures? Several reasons: OS support is an obvious one. More important, viruses are evolving: Five years ago, they targeted system files to bring individual systems down. Now we see threats that drop remote-access tools or create masses of zombies for denial-of-service attacks. Today, all major AV programs scan your outbound mail because worms propagate themselves by sending mail without anyone having to hit Send. Several versions ago, there was no need. Recommended Products
Double up for safety: Use a second antispyware tool. No antispyware tool is foolproof, and often a second one will find something the first missed. If repeating the cycle again with a second utility doesn't solve the problem, search the Web for further help; removing some particularly sticky spyware may require specialized tools. You can also try an online-only free scan like Spy Audit, from Webroot ( www.webroot.com ), or Pest Scan, from PestPatrol ( www.pestpatrol.com ). As a last resort, you might try following instructions for manual removal, but be sure to back up any affected files or Registry keys first. Recommended Products Antivirus
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Adware
and spyware are a growing nuisance and threat. They hijack
your browser, pop up undesired ads, redirect you to unsavory sites,
and even monitor your behavior for potentially malicious purposes.
No antispyware utility provides an impenetrable defense. Most antispyware
programs is straightforward, but some won't download their newest
spyware detection signature files until you manually instruct them
to. Make that your first task, then set the software to download
updates automatically, if it gives you that option.