Just like in dealing with viruses, there are a number of easy steps you can take to make it harder for spyware to get onto your computer in the first place. These are:
- Don’t install free software, or software from people or companies you don’t know or trust
- If your browser opens a window asking you to install a plug-in, say “No” unless you absolutely trust the company that made the plug-in
- If you get an e-mail with an attachment in it, don’t open the attachment unless it’s safe (e.g. a document or a spreadsheet, not a program)
- Use a Anti-Spyware software in case the spyware gets through such as SpyCatcher or Vipre Anvivirus AntiSpyware.
These steps are very important for anyone, because they will protect against most viruses in addition to most spyware. Unfortunately, they don’t protect you from spyware that other people install on your computer and they don’t get rid of the spyware you already have.
For spyware (unlike most viruses), there is a small hope that you can actually uninstall the software. If you have spyware made by a reputable, large company (like Alexa), it will sometimes allow you to uninstall it using the Windows Add/Remove Software feature in the Control Panel.
Unfortunately, this applies to a very small minority of all spyware and it doesn’t apply to any of the dangerous forms of spyware. To get rid of most spyware, and certainly all the most dangerous spyware, you’ll need an anti-spyware product. Anti-spyware products work just like anti-virus — they search your computer for known spyware, and whenever they find spyware they disable or remove it.
Given the current danger spyware poses to computer users, it’s a good idea to treat spyware as seriously as viruses, and use anti-spyware software as proactively as you do anti-virus software.
Until next time 
Peter – your Ghostsurf Guide