Fend off spyware and protect your identity

Detecting spyware
But how can you tell if spyware is present? The problem with this type of software is that it does a good job of keeping itself hidden, and there are often no obvious signs of its existence.

However, an increase in the appearance of advertisements and pop-up windows, or an unwanted change to your web browser’s home page or preferred search engine, can be an indication that something is wrong.

Unexpected buttons and toolbars in a web browser, along with a decrease in the computer’s performance and reliability can also be pointers.

It may also be possible to detect an increase in internet usage ­ activity may be noticed when there are no internet-enabled programs running, for example.

But suspecting the presence of spyware and knowing that it is there are two different matters, and by far the most reliable means of detection is to turn to a dedicated piece of software.

Just as with anti-virus software, there are a huge number of programs that have been designed to block, detect and remove spyware.

While some of these have a price tag attached to them, there are free tools available that are also up to the task. One such program is Spybot Search and Destroy.

Unlike some free programs, Spybot Search and Destroy can be used to detect spyware that has already infected a computer, and includes ‘real-time’ protection that can help to prevent spyware from being installed.

To get Spybot Search and Destroy, visit the program’s website safer-networking.org and click the Download link to the left of the page.

Scroll down the page, click the Download icon next to the entry for the latest version of Spybot Search and Destroy and then click one of the ‘Download here’ buttons ­ they all point to the same version of the software.

Download the installation file and save it to the Windows Desktop. Once the download is complete, double-click the file and run through the setup process.

There should be no need to change the default settings. When the installation is complete, select the option to launch the program and the setup wizard will appear to guide you through the process of configuring the program.