Eliminating Spyware--What You Need to Know

What is Spyware?

Spyware lets a third party track which Web sites you visit on the Internet and collect other personal information about you through your computer. It may make you vulnerable to identity theft, slow down your computer, install unwanted programs or even change your computer’s settings.

Spyware software enters your computer without your knowledge when it's attached to another program you download. You can sometimes get spyware from Web sites you visit as well.

Detecting Spyware

Is your computer infected? Here are some signs to look for:

--Your computer crashes more often.
--It takes much longer for your computer to complete tasks.
--You suddenly have a new tool bar.
--The Web page your computer first opens to--your homepage--is different.
--You're getting a lot of "pop-up" ads.

If you see any of these signs on your computer, it’s very possible you’ve got spyware.

Preventing Spyware

--Make sure you download all the latest security updates from your operating system manufacturer: Microsoft for Windows PC owners, Apple for Mac OS X owners. Find Windows updates on Microsoft's Security Central Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx.

OS X will automatically detect and install your updates, but Mac owners can also find security updates on the Apple Web site here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

--Set your Internet Explorer security level to medium or higher.

Keeping your IE security at these levels will minimize the amount of unwanted information, including spyware, you get from the Web sites you visit. Here's how to view and change your Internet Explorer security settings:

1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then click Internet Options.

2. Select the Security tab. You'll see a sliding bar, which you can adjust up or down to change your security settings. Then click "OK."

--Be careful about which Websites you visit and the software you download.

Don’t make it easy for spyware to find you:

--Don't download any program if you’re not sure about what company wrote it.
--Don’t download free games or other programs unless you know they’re spyware-free.
--Take a moment to read the security warnings and licensing agreements of the programs you want to download.
--When you want to close a Web site window or popup, never click "OK" or "Agree." PC users should close the window by instead clicking the red "x" in the upper right corner of the window or pressing ALT+F4.

How BluePhone can help you prevent--and get rid of--spyware

BluePhone Personal Tech Experts make it easy to prevent and remove spyware. We walk you through the steps above so you'll know how to minimize spyware in the future. With your permission, we'll then access your computer remotely and install a high-quality anti-spyware program. This program will perform a fast online spyware check and safely remove any spyware found. We'll stay on the phone with you until the spyware is gone and all your questions are answered.

Join BluePhone Today!

BluePhone is your at-home help desk, with expert remote computer support just a phone call or email away, 24/7, 365 days a year. BluePhone Personal Tech Experts are highly trained professionals completely familiar with PCs, Macs®, devices and the latest technologies, so whatever your problem or question, we can help to resolve it. We’re confident you’ll love BluePhone!

To get started, choose your service, complete our registration form and in just a few minutes you'll have full access to BluePhone’s Personal Tech Experts. We’re looking forward to helping you!