Detect and remove spyware and adware without spending a dime
Adware and spyware have become a global computer problem from using the web. They turned into malware because of their very viral and hostile behavior. Besides the dangers of identity theft and deception at hand on the Internet, advertising software and spyware can only be unobtrusive. Here are some ways to discover spyware and advertising software and remove or just avoid advertising software and spyware and not spend a dime on the latest "antivirus" software, such as Spyware Nuker.
1. Use Firefox. If you don't use the Internet much, you probably don't understand a good deal regarding Firefox. All you need to understand is that it's a browser that works very well and has excellent security protection.
2. Do not use Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is similar to Swiss cheese. It seems to have an endless supply of security gaps. Microsoft nonstop sends patches to fix all defects in Internet Explorer 6. X and previous versions of the browser. Although it can be "secured" by increasing security, it may relinquish much of its functionality when set to the highest degree of security when turning off specific exploitable features.
3. Use hardware software or firewall (not just Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall). This may be thought to be expensive and difficult to do, but it is not. If you use a DSL connection or broadband cable, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have issued you a DSL/Cable router that has a firewall included with it. All you have to do is turn it on. This may force you to spend a few minutes reading instructions.
If your internet service provider does not offer you a DSL or Cable broadband router that includes a firewall you can pay anywhere from $20 to $60 (or sometimes cheaper when it includes a mail discount) for a router. If you use DSL, you will need a DSL router. If you use a Cable broadband ISP, you will need a cable router. Brands like Linksys have already built protection walls and a feature is known as NAT, web address translation, which is very effective because it hides the actual IP address from the Internet. All routers are sold with guidance on how to connect them. If you want to keep your computer safe for free, just use a free software firewall.
4. Discover spyware and Adware using free anti-spy and anti-software software. Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy from Lavasoft are two great ways to restore your system for free. Majorgeeks.com is a favorite and trustworthy website for free tools containing this software and many additional premium spyware/cleaning software and malware prevention software (including free downloadable firewalls).
The best approach is to use all options. Staying proactive by surfing with a proper browser and getting a firewall is crucial, but it also helps to be wary of other good anti-software/spyware applications. If you're exposed to a little malware that can't be cleaned with Adaware or Spybot, find a freak. There are many large online forums committed to achieving nothing but the discovery and removal of spyware, advertising software, and other malware. In all likelihood, if your computer is contaminated with it, hundreds of others have been contaminated before you and have previously discovered how to get rid of the malware.