The first step that you should take to protect your PC from viruses and spyware is to make sure that you have kept your computer up to date with the latest security patches. These patches can be obtained for free from Microsoft at http://www.windowsupdate.com/

What is Spyware/Adware?

Spyware has become a major problem for many PC/Windows users. According to Microsoft, some symptoms of a spyware infection are:

•You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
•The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
•You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
•Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
•You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.

Learn more about spyware here:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

How can I remove spyware from my PC?

There are a few free solutions designed to remove spyware from your PC. We do not recommend using other solutions as they may charge for removal or may infect your computer with more spyware.

Solution #1 – Download and install the Microsoft Antispyware program (Windows XP and Windows 2000 users only)

You can obtain this software for free from Microsoft at this location:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Download and install this software and choose all default options during installation. At the end of the install, click “Run quick scan now” to search and remove spyware from your PC.

NOTE: Severe infections may require a full system scan which will take longer than a quick scan. You can choose to do a full scan on the program’s main menu.

Solution #2 – Download and install Ad-Aware SE (all Windows versions)

You can obtain this software for free from Lavasoft USA at these locations:

http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ or ftp://ftp.download.com/pub/win95/utilities/aawsepersonal.exe

Download and install this software and choose all default options during installation. Once the scan completes (usually takes 10-15 minutes), click the “Next” button. Check the boxes next to all of the items in the list (you can right click one item and choose “Select All Objects” to check all of them at once.). Click the “Next” button. Click “OK” when prompted to delete the objects found (Note: if you are prompted to run a scan at your next startup choose Yes and restart your computer as soon as possible to complete the scan)

Solution #3 – Download and install Spybot Search and Destroy (all Windows versions)

You can obtain this software for free from Safer Networking at these locations

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html or http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html?tag=pop

NOTE: There are other pieces of software that have similar names but are actually malicious. Please make sure that you are using a version downloaded from one of the links above.

Download and install this software and choose all default options during installation. Follow the program wizard to update and scan for adware. Allow the scan to complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes). Click the “Fix Selected Problems” button (Note: if you are prompted to run a scan at your next startup choose “yes” and restart your computer as soon as possible to complete the scan).

What is a computer virus?

You can read more about computer viruses at Trend Micro’s website:

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/security/general/virus/overview.htm

What can I do to protect myself from infection?

To protect yourself from viruses, you must run antivirus software with an up-to-date virus definition subscription. You can purchase this software from the following vendors:

http://www.trendmicro.com

http://www.symantec.com

http://www.mcafee.com

How can I protect myself from Instant Messenger viruses?

Instant messaging, commonly referred to as IM, is a method of online communication like e-mail. The main difference, as the name suggests, is that IM is instantaneous. Using an IM program—such as MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or others—you and a friend can type messages to each other and see the messages almost immediately. Because IM has become so popular, virus writers are using it to spread malicious programs.

Like e-mail viruses, instant message viruses are malicious or annoying programs that are designed to travel through IM. In most cases these viruses are spread when a person opens an infected file that was sent in an instant message that appeared to come from a friend.

As with most threats on the Internet, you can help keep yourself safe by taking basic precautions. If you know how to avoid e-mail viruses, you'll already be familiar with many of these steps:

1. Be careful downloading files in IM. Never open, accept, or download a file in IM from someone you don't know. If the file comes from someone you do know, don't open it unless you know what the file is and you were expecting it. Contact the sender by e-mail, phone, or some other method to confirm that what they sent was not a virus.

2. Update your Windows software. Visit Windows Update to scan your computer and install any high-priority updates that are offered to you. If you have Automatic Updates enabled, the updates are delivered to you when they are released, but you have to make sure you install them. For more information, visit the Protect Your PC site.

3. Make sure you're using an updated version of your IM software. Using the most up-to-date version of your IM software can better protect your computer against viruses and spyware. If you're using MSN Messenger, install the updated version by visiting the MSN Messenger Web site and clicking the Download Now! button.

4. Use antivirus software and keep it updated. Antivirus software can help to detect and remove IM viruses from your computer, but only if you keep the antivirus software current. If you've purchased a subscription from an antivirus software company, your antivirus software may update itself when you're connected to the Internet.

5. Use anti-spyware software and keep it updated. Some IM viruses may install spyware or other unwanted software on your computer. Anti-spyware software can help to protect your computer from spyware and remove any spyware you may already have. If you don't have anti-spyware software, you can download the new Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) or another spyware removal tool.

How can I remove a virus infection?

You can remove a virus infection by purchasing and installing virus protection software or by purchasing an updated virus definition subscription for your current product (recommended). You can also remove an existing infection for free at Trend Micro’s Housecall website. Note that this will not prevent reinfection.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Other steps that you can take to keep your PC clean

Since most spyware is targeted at Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser, you may find that you are more secure using another browser to access the Internet. Mozilla Firefox is an alternate browser that offers popup blocking and tabbed browsing. You can obtain it for free here: http://www.mozilla.org/