HELP!!!! S.O.S. A tech question....

Hi Kathybelle!

For spyware your best bet is Spybot search n' Destroy

it's free (or donate)...get it here:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

(it's the direct download page..... version 1.4) Go back a page to read about. It's easy to use, but can be annoying if you try or install a lot of programs often. I use it, but only when I do my weekly scans.... it's off the rest of the time.

or try the free Stopzilla, also a good choice!

http://www.stopzilla.com/download/download_select.aspx?aid=10004&c
id=AD%20BLOCKER&gclid=CL_Fj-vv2o0CFRqWGgodzx08mQ&

NOW........

What browser do you use? IE? Firefox? Opera? Netscape?

With Firefox...it's easy.... download the AdBlock Plus extension(addon) thru your Tools-Addons-GetExtensions in Firefox. It takes care of MOST of it.... I use it, and see NO ads anywhere. The odd one gets thru...but not many!

There is no easy solution that I know of for IE, but I abandoned IE years ago... WAY too dangerous for your PC.

Any questions about any security, let me know :)

Thanks, Raant, I feel half smart with the Spybot Search & Destroy, I loaded it on all of the PCs at work. And I use Firefox at home and will use your suggestion with it. I wish you were our office IT guy. I'm all they have for IT unless we call in the pro's and pay the really big bucks. I tried to talk the boss into Firefox but no go.

THANKS Raant and Pam!
I just purchased CA anti-virus.
I use IE but at work I use Firefox. So far no problems but maybe I should download Firefox at home?
I did not purchase a firewall protector. Is that a mistake?

hey Kathybelle....

What is your OS? Windows XP? VISTA?

Firewall is VERY important. You are on high speed yes? you have a router(nat)? sorry... don't want to get geeky.... security is my thing. If a windows PC, make sure your firewall is enabled internally. I'll can tell you how if I know what your OS is.

If you already know firefox, you should download it and use it. IE7 is a drastic improvement for IE, but still junky.

PLUS.... I am putting up a list of great add ons for firefox... most are security. You can pretty much lock down Firefox and still easily surf the web with pleasure! plus the toys........

PAM.... KEEP working on your STUBBORN boss!! lol! He's just scared that something will muck up.... which almost never happens. Two thumbs up for running Firefox at home!!!!!! :)

For Windows,

Firewall - ZoneAlarm
Anti-virus - Norton
Anti-spyware - Adaware and Spybot
Browser - Firefox (Safari is new but quite fast)
Router - enable the firewall (should be enabled by default)
Windows updates - updates weekly to get the most up-to-date security patches from Microsoft

As a general rule, assume all computers that are connected to the Internet are vulnerable. Having firewalls at the route and on the PC do help.