Director of Sales
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Does anyone know of any software that looks for downloads that monitor your computer use and helps you delete them? (This is to help protect my machine against identity theft.)
I'm not an I.T. expert, but I think what you're looking for would be something like Spybot and Ad Aware. I use both and run a scan weekly.
You also want a good virus scanner, such as AVG , and a good firewall, such as Windows or Zone Alarm.
These programs are all free and powerful and are frequently (and automatically) updated.
However, as in most things, the most powerful anti-identity theft device you have at your disposal is right between your ears.
As Cosmo says, Spybot and Ad-Aware are totally great and free.
Just remember to keep them updated regularly and run scans with them!
Also, an up-to-date antivirus program is crucial. Don't rely on that copy of Norton 2001 you installed a long time ago to protect you at all. Old protection is almost worse than no protection.
A spyware removal program will not remove viruses and a virus removal program will not remove spyware reliably.
There are some online virus scans you can run for free, too.
They don't remove any viruses, but they can let you know whether you are infected or not.
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
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Director of Sales
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As Cosmo says, Spybot and Ad-Aware are totally great and free.
Just remember to keep them updated regularly and run scans with them!
...and don't just use one. Use both. One program will catch spyware the other misses. Every week when I run a scan with both, I get hits with both scans, no matter what order I do them in.
cos
As Cosmo says, Spybot and Ad-Aware are totally great and free.
Just remember to keep them updated regularly and run scans with them!...and don't just use one. Use both. One program will catch spyware the other misses. Every week when I run a scan with both, I get hits with both scans, no matter what order I do them in.
cos
I work in IT and let me agree whole heartedly. Sybot and AdAware are great in tandem. With Spybot for added protection, install the tea-timer feature. It constantly monitors for changes and forces you to approve them. If spyware is an issue, this will help.
Google for Spybot, AdAware and HijackThis. ZoneAlarm is also highly recommended if you don't already use Windows Firewall. For viruses, I hear good things about AVG Free and one person recommended Norton Antivirus, and you can get a free scan at housecall.antivirus.com.