How does Adware & Spyware affect my computer?

Spyware and adware can also adversely affect the performance of the infected computer. Many of these applications are not well coded and regularly conflict with other applications. Multiple spyware apps can conflict both with individual programs as well as with the operating system. Spyware can also cause your Internet connection to lag and it can often cause Windows error, browser shutdown and other problems in your computer system. In short, spyware on a computer leads to frequent and debilitating crashes.


How to avoid Spware and Adware?

Here are some steps you can take to avoid spyware:
Regularly use anti-spyware software in conjunction with anti-virus software to give your computer maximum protection against spyware and other malicious computer programs. Avoid going to sites that may have a questionable reputation, especially sites with an excessive amount of advertising popups. This will help prevent an accidental clicking on a popup which has been known to infect some systems. In order to avoid websites from running software automatically, change your internet browser settings. However, this change may cause some inconvenience since ActiveX, is a particular piece of software used by many websites. This can be changed in Internet explorer by doing the following:

  1. On Internet Explorer menu, click on "Tools", and select "Internet Options".
  2. Select the Security Tab.
  3. Be sure the Internet Zone is selected and click on the "Custom Level" button.
  4. Set your Active X controls and plugins section as follows:

Download signed ActiveX controls - Enable

Download unsigned ActiveX controls - Disable

Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe - Disable

Run ActiveX controls and plugins - Prompt

Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting - Prompt