Jim's Column for 2/6/05
Well, we’ve had our fun with the Apple-philes, so let’s get back to talking about spyware, adware and viruses, the virtual playground of the Windows world.I actually got several nice questions (among the thousands of not-so nice from the Mac faithful) discussing free screensavers, add-ons to Outlook, smiley add-ons and the like.
Here is the basic rule unless you know a lot about computers. Ready?
There is NOTHING free in the computer software world any more.
You may think it’s free, but when you install it what comes along with it is the price of the freight. And for many, many applications (especially those I would consider on the cheesy side, like puppy dog screen savers and emoticon collections) these are chock-full of spyware and advertising programs.
And the more of these you install, the more infected your PC gets. And no, they don’t have to ask your permission before they install or if they do, they bury it so far into the legal yadda yadda on the acceptance screen that people ignore it and move on.
And there are tricks, too. Every time I installed the Real Player (when I used to use that piece of nonsense) it would carefully deselect every option and it still would install all manner of stuff. (One of its tricks was to show everything deselected until you scrolled down and you’d find all of the hidden things checked.)
So, when you find something free on the Web that is offered as free (and promoted via pop-ups or advertising) there is hidden stuff in it, I can almost guarantee you.)
So what can you do to fight it?
1. Buy an Apple
2. Quit installing stuff you find on the Internet that looks “cute.”
3. Install a popup blocker like that in the Google toolbar or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (or both)
4. Quit clicking on pop-ups. Never click the yes or no box or any content inside the box. Always close them with the X in the corner. If you can’t see the X, close it with a Control W. If that doesn’t work, hit it three-fingered salute (Control, Alt, Delete) and hit Task Manager and select the box and hit End Task.
5. Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add-Remove Programs and uninstall every other toolbar and search program you see, as well as other programs you didn’t want installed. (Most adware and spyware won’t be listed there but some will. Answer the install question carefully; some are worded in reverse so you don’t get them uninstalled.)
6. Try the Microsoft Anti-Spyware tool beta (for Windows XP and 2000 only) available free (for now) on Microsoft’s web site (www.microsoft.com.) Install it, let it update and do a full scan (default is a fast scan) and kiss the puppy screen saver good bye.
WEEKLY WEB WONDER: Like millions of others, I miss Johnny Carson and his quiet wit. You can visit www.johnnycarson.com and relive some of the best moments from the show, send comments to the family and more. Good night, Johnny.
James Derk is co-owner of CyberDads, a computer repair firm and computer columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is jim@cyberdads.com
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home