Reprinted from Articles and Reports at https://www.firewalls-and-virus-protection.com/ArticlesReports.html                                                                                                Finding the Best Anti-spyware Software                 >>Print This Page by Richard Rossbauer    There's a real battle going on in the cyberworld.    Spyware writers are trying to outsmart all of us Internet users, while  the software protection writers are hard at work trying to keep up with the hundreds of new worms and viruses that the Spyware guys create.   Our challenge is to know where to go for help in selecting the best security ware.   We are assailed from all sides with promises of dire consequences if we don't buy 'this product' or 'that product' to keep the spies out of our computers.   Many of us have heard horror stories about infected anti-spyware programs -- ones that actually load Trojans, worms or viruses when we install them, and then scare us with untrue claims that we have been infected. (These are called False Positives)   So, how can we protect our safety and security?   Here are a few suggestions:   # Use Internet Service Providers who automatically screen our email and intercept infected messages that contain viruses or spam.   # Change our browser programs from Internet Explorer to less vulnerable versions like Firefox and Netscape 8.   # Probably one of the easiest moves for the lesser experienced websurfer is to investigate and try the AOL Security browser. It seems to have everything included except a strong firewall.   # Read the reviews of Anti-spyware testers and select the ones with the best ratings and highest recommendations. Do a Google or Yahoo search for "anti-spyware reviews". You'll find dozens of  sources for published test results. The magazines like PC WORLD™ and PC Magazine™ are very reliable places. Check out three or four reviews and select the ones with high ratings.   # Recommended security software titles that appear at the top of more than one review should be reasonably safe programs to try.   # A real benefit for us is that most of the top rated anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are free, or available in Trial or Demo versions.   Want second opinions?   If subscribing to newsletters and Blogs isn't your usual surfing activity, you can do a search for security alert newsletters or security alert blogs. For example, do a Yahoo search for "security alert newsletter" (use the quotation marks to get the most appropriate search results). Do the same for a Yahoo or Google search on "security alert blog". (Blogs are web logs).   There are many web masters, newsletter, and Blog publishers who monitor the results published by the anti-spyware reviewers. Most of them pass these information alerts on to their readers and subscribers, often offering suggestions and advice based on their own personal experiences and expertise.   Blogs are often much more current than many of the newsletters since Blog authors often post their information every couple of days - some even on a daily basis.   For the serious searchers of current information, this is a great benefit. There aren't as many Blog sites as web sites yet, so it's often much easier to find the information you're looking for.   Don't be overwhelmed by all of the information you get. After doing these searches and reviews once or twice, it'll be a simple task to select what information you need to keep yourself current.   For starters, it is generally accepted practice to select and use at least two anti-spyware programs.   Choose from among the two or three that receive the highest recommendations and ratings from the newsletter and Blog authors. Be especially watchful for and select one of those programs that provides 'Real Time' monitoring. (Which means that they monitor and catch any incoming bugs that may try to infect your machine while you are online).   Downloading instructions are nearly always present with the reviews. If not, you'll find sites like c|net.com to be a good source for download links.   Just don't forget to check for and update your security software. The spyware writers won't give you a break if you forget.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please help us educate and protect the unwary by sharing this article. Reprint it if you have a newsletter, website or ezine. Copy or print it to give to your friends. It may be used at will so long as no edits or changes are made to the content and links, and the full attribute box is included. Help promote Richard's "Computer Security Awareness Campaign" thru his website at https://www.firewalls-and-virus-protection.com (C)2005, by Richardpresents.com All Rights Reserved -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                     Close Window