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Spyware is Internet jargon meaning Advertising Supported Software, or “Adware.” Spyware monitors computer activity and transmits data without your knowledge. This information is usually stored in a database on the infected system. Spyware is not illegal but can create nightmares through poor system performance and annoying pop-up ads.Protect your system with antivirus software such as Symantec or McAfee Anti-Virus. Ad-Aware by Lavasoft is the most popular free software. There is AOL Active Virus Shield and Spybot Search and Destroy. Windows Defender can be downloaded for Windows XP and comes automatically with Windows Vista. These programs are designed to remove adware and spyware from your computer.

Guard Your Network!
Create a company policy on software installation and Internet Explorer settings. Don’t load shareware or freeware on company machines. Block sites sending ad requests from your web browser to the computer’s loop-back address. Add 127.0.0.1 bad_site.com in the host file. The computer’s Internet browser will look at the host file first before sending a DNS request for the ad site content. The result will appear blank in the browser, so no spyware or cookies will be loaded. You can download Gorills Design Studio’s list which has over 17,000 entries.

Other Safeguards:
Firewalls prevent unauthorized system access. IT is the first line of defense in protecting you from attacks of spyware, adware, malware, worms and hackers.

Beware of phishing. This is when you get an official-looking e-mail from a fake company. Do not use a link in your own e-mail that provides personal information.

Security patches close operating system holes.

Use encryption software to protect vital data from prying eyes.

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