| Spyware is a category of malicious software that | | | | Ditch Outlook Express |
| secretly obtains information about a computer user's | | | | Outlook express contains several security |
| and sends it to a third party without the user's consent. | | | | vulnerabilities spyware distributors use to infect |
| For example, a piece of spyware running on an | | | | computers. Instead of Outlook express you can use |
| infected computer can obtain the user's bank account | | | | an online email system like GMail or Yahoo mail, or |
| number when online banking, user's username and | | | | install an alternate email client like Thunderbird. |
| password when online trading or the user's credit card | | | | Install Anti-Spyware Software |
| number when shopping online. | | | | There are some tools that will scan your computer |
| No computer user is 100% safe from spyware, | | | | and detect and remove spyware. Some of the most |
| however it is primarily a concern for users of | | | | popular ones include Spybot-Search and Destroy and |
| Microsoft Windows operating systems. The safest bet | | | | Ad-Aware. |
| to avoid being a victim of spyware is to use an | | | | Install a Firewall |
| alternative operating system like Linux or Mac OS X, | | | | Hardware firewalls can be obtained for a reasonable |
| however if you are unable or unwilling to leave | | | | price these days, most routers (both wired and |
| Windows, there are some steps you can take to | | | | wireless) provide firewalls in addition to their primary |
| protect yourself. | | | | purpose of allowing multiple computers to share |
| Ditch Internet Explorer | | | | broadband internet connection. Software firewalls can |
| Internet Explorer contains a technology called ActiveX | | | | be installed on Windows computers as well. |
| that allows malicious web sites to install software on | | | | Conclusion |
| the browser's computer without the user's consent, this | | | | While nobody is completely safe from spyware, by |
| ability has been a boon for spyware writers and | | | | taking these simple measures the risk of getting |
| distributors. Alternative browsers include Firefox and | | | | infected are greatly reduced. |
| Opera. | | | | |