PC Hacks

Hack #98. Protect Your PC from Malware

Rid your PC of dozens of performance-robbing pop-up and search bar annoyances with a few free programs.

Viruses and malicious hackers are bad, but you may find yourself under considerably more threat from software that has a way of sneaking onto your computer, such as:

Adware

Software that pops up advertisements while you are using your computer.

Spyware

Software that gathers data on what you do with your computer and reports that information back to its maker.

Malware

Software that is designed to cripple your computer or open a back door for malicious attackers. Often used as a catch-all term for adware, spyware, and any other bad software you didn't knowingly install.

Such "badware" gets onto your system in many ways:

• Through browser plug-ins that you agree to install despite a security warning from Windows.

• By installing applications that promise to "speed up and enhance your web experience."

• By installing free versions of popular software applications (often file-sharing programs) that include accompanying adware or spyware.

• By installing some programs that claim to prevent infestation from such malware!

The long-standing adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" definitely applies here. Certain types of freeware, particularly file-sharing applications and free games, are actually "paid for" by companies that provide advertisement and search-enhancement add-ins and who in turn get paid by advertisers. Those advertisers get their ads ...