Many of the times we come across different terms in computer security and more home user AntiVirus and Spyware are the two most common terms, but they are and how to handle them. Let’s find out in this article.

Spyware: Spyware is software programs that show performs some operation or behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first.

Signs of Spyware

• Advertisement pop-ups comes all the time.
• Computer settings has been changed.
• Browser install some additional extension that you never installed.
• Computer performance goes down.
• Unfamiliar websites are handling your search.
• Antispyware programs stop working and keep asking that some files are missing or your computer requires a critical update.

How to Prevent yourself from Spyware

• Use a Firewall :Spyware’s are generally bundled with some other programs after installation spyware try to access Internet or performing some other activity on your system, Firewall may block or ask user permission for all these activities.  Always go for two way firewall.
• Adjust Internet Explorer Settings: Internet Explorer is now more secure and offers a better control over your browsing. Always use Internet Explorer’s Protected Mode.
• Download and Install a Good Antispyware: Download and install a good Antispyware program. Windows Vista comes with preinstalled Windows Defender. Windows XP users can also download and install Windows Defender with free of cost.
• Downloads software’s only from trusted websites. If you find any webpage is vulnerable then instead if using mouse use ALT+F4 to close that webpage. Beware before downloading or visiting various free music and movie websites.

Virus: Virus are small computer programs that are designed to infect the computer also spread from one computer to another computer. A computer virus can delete all your computer data, use computers email program to send and receive email as well as spread the same virus. There are a number of way for a virus to come in computer system like e-mail message or instant messaging messages, e-mail attachments,attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.

Signs of viruses:

• Computer runs more slowly than normal.
• Computer stops responding or locks up often.
• Computer crashes and restarts every few minutes.
• Computer restarts on its own and then fails to run normally.
• Applications on computer don’t work or stop working correctly.
• Disks or disk drives are inaccessible.
• Unusual error messages are keep coming.
• Distorted menus and dialog boxes.

These are common signs of infection—but they might also indicate hardware or software problems that have nothing to do with a virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool and install industry-standard, up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, there is no way to be certain if your computer is infected with a virus or not. If you don’t have current antivirus software installed or if you’re interested in installing a different brand, you can try Windows Live OneCare free for 90 days or visit our Security software downloads page for software from other companies.

How to Prevent yourself from Virus

• Use a Firewall
• Use Good AntiVirus Software program
• Regularly update computer software’s.
• Remove unwanted software’s from computer.
• Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know.
• Only download or accept programs and content (including photos, video clips, ring tones, mobile device themes, and games) from a source you trust.

This article is written after visiting Microsoft Security Website

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