Practice Safe Computing.

A good rule of thumb when evaluating pop-up offers on the internet: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you haven't done so already, do download and install one or more of the adware sweep and removal programs we recommend. But DON'T accept popups and unsolicited offers for "free" software, even pop up offers for anti-virus or spyware "protection" products. In that case, you will likely be compounding your problem..

The spyware author's goal is to get you to click on the ad, it doesn't matter where. Never click a button in a pop up window. Many times the "no" or "cancel" buttons do the same thng as yes or ok! To clear a pop up, try the following: If the pop-up is in front (the top most window) hit escape (ESC) to close it. If that doesn't work, press and hold the alt key, then press F4 (alt-F4). Finally, if there's an X in the top right corner, click that to close the pop up window. Note that spyware writers will often create a fake "X" button so be careful what you click.

Avoid cute things like Kazaa, Gator, Bonzi Buddy, My Search Bar, free(!) PC protection, etc. These programs (and many more) often install spyware without your permission, or you may have unknowingly given permission when you accepted the user agreement during installation. Avoid search bars such as Clear Web Search, When U Search, etc.

Run Windows Update.

Microsoft releases regular security fixes for newly detected threats. Make it a habit to run Windows Update weekly, selecting the critical security updates. You don't need to install everything they offer but do get the critical updates. Start here.

Use a firewall.

Firewalls protect your computer from access by other computers, and prevent spyware on your computer from phoning home without your knowledge.

• The Windows XP built in firewall only protects you from incoming traffic and is far better than no firewall at all but you may need to turn it on. Click start, then Help and Support, search for firewall, then click Enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall and follow instructions.
• The Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall is reportedly greatly improved and is turned on by default when you install Service Pack 2.
• Not running XP, or want something more robust? Try the free version of Zone Alarm from Zone Labs. You can also buy Zone Alarm Pro for additional features.
• Some antivirus vendors such as McAfee and Symantec also offer firewall products. Products such as Norton Internet Security are likely to slow down an older PC.

Whichever solution you choose, use only one software firewall. If you use ZoneAlarm, turn Windows Firewall OFF.

Use Spyware removal tools.

There are many more Spyware removal programs on the market, these safe and free tools are our favorites.

• Ad-Aware SE Personal edition from Lavasoft is a free Adware sweep and removal tool.
• Spybot Search & Destroy is from Safer Networking Limited.

There are also many commercial Spyware removal programs such as:

• Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software has been highly rated.
• Pest Patrol is from Computer Associates. Their site offers a free online scanner.

None of these are by themselves 100% effective. We recommend you install and run each of the free offerings. Together, they will identify and remove hundreds of spyware programs.

For up to date information, resources, and ratings on the latest tools, visit Spyware Warrior and be sure to click through to their Getting Help page for the latest tools and best practices.

One or more of the commercial products may also help but still, some of the most insidious spyware may remain behind. In that case you may need to call for professional help to completely eradicate them.

Run an antivirus program.

If you don't have virus protection you really have no business being on the internet.

Buy at retail or online:

Norton Antivirus: http://www.symantec.com
McAfee VirusScan: http://www.mcafee.com
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: http://free.grisoft.com is available for personal use.

An anti-virus solution is only good if you keep your signature files up to date. Turn on automatic updating, if available, otherwise manually download updates at least weekly, and run regularly scheduled scans of your system. We set our 24 hour machines to scan at 2am, if you turn your PC off at night you might find lunch hour a convenient time.

Install a free toolbar - but be sure it's a safe one

Get a toolbar with a popup blocker, the fewer popups you see, the less likely you are to accidentally click on one.

The Google Toolbar works in Internet Explorer and Firefox. Besides being a handy toolbar, it contains a nice popup blocker.

The Earthlink Toolbar has gotten good reviews lately although we haven't used it ourselves.

The Yahoo! Toolbar also has a pop up blocker.

These are safe, but beware the many search bars being offered in pop up ads. Please, please don't install Clear Web Search, When U Search, My Search, etc, that's as bad as inviting the burglar into your home.

Try a different browser

The free open source Firefox browser is rock solid, contains a built in popup blocker, and does not yet suffer from many of the security vulnerabilities of Internet Explorer. Get it here.

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