Techies: How in the hell does spyware and worse

[mr_hat]

get on one's computer?

I don't get it. If go to DU, is it like I'm leaving a door open or something?

[Az]

1. There are all sorts of ways

One of the main ones beyond to control of the hosting website are those little banner ads. Advertisers stick little spyware programs in there. Just don't click on anything that you don't know about.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

3. I went surfing a few months ago and my computer got infected.

Hubby wound up having to practically rebuild the whole frickin' computer. Nothing would get rid of it. Good luck.

[salvorhardin]

2. :cough: Firefox :cough:

Seriously, if you haven't switched from IE yet you're just asking for it. Firefox isn't perfect but it will help you cut down on the risk of infection enormously.
http://browsehappy.com/why

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. Thanks for the tip (you really should get something for that cough).

[zmdem]

5. Consider geting a more secure browser

Mozilla Firefox has built in pop up blocking and seems as good or than Ms IE.

DU is not a spyware threat.

There are two decent spyware removal programs I use:

Spybot Search and Destroy
Adaware

Google on them. Both are free and like anti-virus software, they need to be updated, (they both have a button to click on that will do this).

[trof]

6. I'm glad you asked because I'd like to know how they work too.

[Neoma]

7. Spy ware can come from pop ups.

& clicking on ads increases pop ups.

[trof]

8. Isn't so-called "freeware" a big culprit?

Seems that it all comes with a price.
"Hey, a whole buncha cute & clever new smilies I can put on my e-mails for free."
They AIN'T "free".

[Sporadicus]

9. Yes - A Prime Source

'My Comet Cursor,' 'Bonzi Buddy,' and anything to do with 'Gator' are all infested with spyware.

[leftyandproud]

10. Dunno but you can KILL it with these programs.

top of the post..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=2130129#

[physioex]

11. Been surfin them girly sites????

:smoke:

In all seriousness you get some good advice here. Use Ad-Aware and Spybot, you should be fine.

[Les BOOGIE]

12. use Adaware by Lavasoft (free)

I remove about 15 things per day

[mr_hat]

13. OK. I'm not totally lame. I run the programs everyoe suggests. What

I want to know is how that shit threatens my PC in the first place.