Malware:
Get It Out of Your System!
by Gary A. Campbell,
gacWebSolutions
_________________________________________
Being
Being online makes your computer vulnerable to a host annoying problems: virus
infections, browser hijackers, adware and spyware. Collectively known as 'malware',
they are all executable files that you unintentionally allow onto your system.
They are more than annoying; they will invade your privacy and decimate your productivity.
Most
everyone is familiar with computer viruses and has virus protection installed
and updated regularly (you do, don't you?). Browser hijacking is a subject that
deserves special treatment (click here to read
my article on browser hijackers). The cost of receiving adware's unwanted marketing
messages is hard to pin down because it is typically lost productivity. Spyware's
goal is to report your browsing habits to a third party. Because it works quietly
in the background, protecting your system from spyware is often ignored.
The
risk of infection is very high. Particularly if you spend lots of time on the
web and/or send and receive many files. My work requires me to do both, so I reevaluate
my system security on a regular basis. Unfortunately, those who create malware
and those who create malware removers are engaged in a never-ending game of leapfrog.
As a result, literally thousands of programs are available which claim to detect,
eliminate and protect against adware and spyware. But which one is best?
In
evaluating the top-tier programs, I relied on firsthand experience, secondhand
reports and published reviews. Obviously, performance and features are critical.
Specifically, I measured each contender against the following criteria:
| • | ability
to detect active infections (currently running) |
|
• | ability
to detect 'sleeper' infections (lying dormant waiting to be triggered) |
| • | ability
to remove them thoroughly |
| • | ability
to provide real-time defense against future infections (regular updates) |
| • | ease
of use |
| • | price |
My conclusion? I recommend either Spy
Sweeper by Webroot ($39.95) or Spyware
Doctor by PC Tools ($29.95). Both applications allow you to run a test
scan before you buy.
There is one more program you might
consider: Ad-Aware
SE Personal from Lavasoft.
Ad-Aware outperforms other
antispyware applications in one area: the ability to detect dormant adware and
spyware. It does a reasonable job of detecting and removing existing infections.
Its greatest weakness is that it offers no preventive protection. But guess what?
It's free for personal use! I recommend using Ad-Aware on a regular basis.
Once
you've installed your chosen applications, set them to update regularly and perform
automatic scans. I set mine to update and run a quick scan every night and execute
a complete scan once a week. When the software identifies a threat, it will guide
you through the process of removal. You'll be sleeping easier knowing that these
applications are fighting the bad guys for you.
