<![CDATA[
]]>
Spyware and Adware issues are now extremely common amongst Internet users. CNN recently reported that over 90% of all Internet users worldwide have some form of spyware / adware on their PC’s right now.


Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that you take the necessary action to remove all traces of Spyware.


Below are some tips on how you can avoid having spyware installed on your computer without you knowing. If you follow these, you stand an extremely high chance of keeping your PC clean and disinfected.


1. Keep Microsoft Windows Updated


Many users are still not quite sure why it is necessary to download software updates on a regular basis. Security holes in software products are *regularly* discovered, and must be fixed by the software maker, through updates.


Well, in the case of Microsoft windows (your operating system), it’s *vital* that you keep it updated, since most attacks take advantage of security flaws that have been already fixed in the latest updates. Therefore, it is critical that you download these types of updates in order to combat certain loop holes in their security system.


2. Be Wary Of Dubious Software


I apologize for this rather vague piece of advice, but essentially the way to avoid trouble is simple:


– *Only* install software downloaded from the maker’s site, or from official “mirrors”, and not from other places (especially peer-to-peer networks). You might then say “well, what if the maker is dodgy?”


My answer would be: “Sometimes, it is almost impossible to tell if a maker is legitimate or not, and that is part of the risk we take when using the Internet.” If you are in doubt, you always have the option of asking someone techie or ‘in the know’…


3. Use An Anti-Spyware Software Product


If you want to be 99.9% safe when using the Internet, the best way is to use an anti-spyware software product which will obliterate all of these problems! You cannot remove spyware problems with anti-virus software, because the software simply won’t detect them. I know I keep saying this, but this is crucial to your understanding.


In summary:


The first two points that I made are important (keeping your windows sofware updated and being wary of dubious software whilst using the Internet), but really the most important and significant action that you can take to avoid and remove spyware is to use a spyware removal software product.


Make sure that you use one which has been honestly reviewed and tested by others. As you may guess, there are many products out there that claim to do the job effectively (that is, detecting and removing spyware), but unfortunately many of them do not.