{"id":30592,"date":"2018-03-02T21:05:30","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T15:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/?p=30592"},"modified":"2018-03-02T21:05:30","modified_gmt":"2018-03-02T15:35:30","slug":"how-to-avoid-spyware-from-infecting-your-computer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/how-to-avoid-spyware-from-infecting-your-computer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to avoid Spyware from affecting Your Computer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-30593 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-470x264.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-215x120.jpg 215w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506-414x232.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/photodune-2867773-spyware-m-900x506.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"download-the-anti-spyware-software\">Download the Anti-Spyware Software<\/h3>\n<p>Most critical step in preventing your system from becoming infected with spyware is to have a utility installed that can thwart malware threats from being installed on your computer. Most antivirus applications are effective in identifying different types of malware, including spyware, but may not detect all spyware variants. In addition to having an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/what-is-malware-2625933\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">antivirus software<\/a>, you should invest in an anti-spyware solution or download a free utility to assist you in combating spyware threats.<\/p>\n<div id=\"native-placeholder_1-0\" class=\"comp native-placeholder mntl-block\"><\/div>\n<p>If you Install the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/best-free-spyware-removal-4151293\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anti-spyware software<\/a>\u00a0on your computer, you must keep your anti-spyware application updated to keep up with the latest forms of spyware. Configure your anti-spyware software to routinely check for updates. If your anti-spyware software does not contain the latest update files, it will be rendered useless against the most current spyware threats.<\/p>\n<div id=\"billboard2-sticky_1-0\" class=\"comp billboard2-sticky billboard-sticky is-lockable\" data-height=\"600\" data-parent=\"\"><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"be-attentive-and-cautious-when-surfing-in-web\">Be Attentive and Cautious when surfing in Web<\/h3>\n<p>Best defense against spyware is not to download it in the first place. Spyware is often installed on your computer when you visit an infected or malicious website. Therefore, you should exercise caution with links to websites from unknown sources. In addition, you should only download programs from trustful websites.<\/p>\n<p>If you are uncertain about a program you are considering downloading, conduct further research by analyzing reviews about the product. When downloading a specific program, ensure you\u2019re not downloading pirated software. Spyware can be distributed by exploits that promote software piracy.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"lookout-the-pop-ups\">Lookout the Pop-Ups<\/h3>\n<p>Malware can lure you into installing spyware on your computer by prompting you with a pop-up window. If you see an unwanted or random pop-up alert, do not click \u201cAgree\u201d or \u201cOK\u201d to close the pop-up window. This will actually install the malware on your computer. Instead, press Alt + F4 or click on the red \u201cX\u201d on the corner on the pop-up alert to close the window.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"keep-current-operating-system-updates\">Keep Current Operating System Updates<\/h3>\n<p>Important system updates provide significant benefits such as improved security. Just as with any antivirus and anti-spyware software, not keeping up with operating system updates will make your PC vulnerable to the latest malware threats.<\/p>\n<div id=\"billboard3-sticky_1-0\" class=\"comp billboard3-sticky billboard-sticky\" data-height=\"600\" data-parent=\"\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"html-slice\">In order to prevent spyware threats, ensure you use the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/windows-7-automatic-update-3507018\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Automatic Updates<\/a>\u00a0feature in Windows and have your computer automatically download Microsoft security updates.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"apply-patches-to-software-installed\">Apply Patches to Software Installed<\/h3>\n<p>Ensure that you have the latest patches installed on all of your software applications, such as Microsoft Office software, Adobe products, and Java. These vendors often release\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/what-is-a-patch-2625960\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">software patches<\/a>\u00a0for their products to fix vulnerabilities that can be used by cyber-criminals as means to deploy malware such as spyware.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"harden-the-browser-settings\">Harden the Browser Settings<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/ilivid-virus-protection-153446\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Updated web browsers<\/a>\u00a0may help prevent exploitation by taking several defensive steps against spyware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"html-slice\">Most web browsers will warn you of executable programs and will suggest a safe course of action. In addition to having an updated web browser, ensure that you have properly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/using-the-pop-up-blocker-in-ie-11-446388\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">configured<\/a>\u00a0your browser and that all of your plug-ins and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifewire.com\/how-to-selectively-disable-internet-explorer-add-ons-2624491\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">add-ons<\/a>\u00a0are updated, including Java, Flash, and Adobe products.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"enable-firewall-settings\">Enable Firewall Settings<\/h3>\n<p>Firewalls monitor the network and are capable of blocking suspicious traffic which can prevent spyware from infecting your system. You can enable the Microsoft Windows Internet Connection Firewall for your computer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to avoid Spyware from affecting Your Computer &#8211; Most critical step in preventing your system from becoming infected with spyware is to have a utility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84612,84628],"tags":[84636,84633,84634,84629,84631,84630,84635,84632],"class_list":["post-30592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antivirus","category-spyware","tag-free-anti-spyware","tag-how-to-prevent-spyware","tag-spyware-download","tag-spyware-examples","tag-spyware-free","tag-spyware-software","tag-spyware-virus","tag-types-of-spyware"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30592"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30592\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wikitechy.com\/technology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}