#1 Switch it OFF!
Well, at the risk of sounding too corny, what does it take for your spyware to have fun? Your Computer, obviously. What does it take for your computer to work, well apart from the hardware and the software? Electricity obviously.
If you think you are infected by spyware or other such malware, and you don't know what to do, switch off your computer. The simplest way to protect your data and your computer is to switch it off. Then maybe, you can call and hire a professional to clean and disinfect it and maybe install some anti-malware and anti-spyware software. In the mean time if you did like to use it, you can use it, but it is highly advisable to switch it off, when not in use. It is very probable of the spywareinfecting your PC to be a downloader and download other spyware and malware onto your computer. While working on it, if you do not require the internet, switch it off.
#2 Protect your PC with Firewalls and Anti-spyware and anti-malware software.
Today, with so many badware threats out there, which include spywares, adwares and viruses; anti-spywares, firewalls and anti-virus are not only required by your computer but are a fundamental necessity for the normal functioning of your computer. Without adequate protection that these software offer, your computer is just an open amusement park to scores of hackers, phisher's and other badware and malware attacks, which may lead to your computer being seriously corrupted and your privacy being completely compromised.
#3 Updates - The life and blood of any good anti-malware and anti-spyware software.
It is very imperative that you supersede the task of keeping all your security software like anti-malware, anti-spyware and anti-virus software, updated. If you are not around to update these security software yourself, please use their auto-update features, these software can update themselves, which is a boon. Regular and frequent updates protect your PC from thousands of badware, malware and spyware out there. The list keeps on increasing day by day. These updates make sure you are protected against the old threats as well as the brand new ones.
#4 Let the scans and sweeps take care of the small stuff too.
Do not be under the impression that just because you clear your cookies, and temp files everyday after you surf, that your spyware and malware problems are long over. You may be covering your tracks and keeping your computer a little cleaner; but you are in no way keeping your computer safe. Let the anti-spyware and anti-malware take care of the cookies and your computers security issues too. Not all cookies are harmless.
#5 Free is good, but don't be a cheapskate.
Don't be Mr. I will save my every last penny; use free anti-spyware and anti-virus programs, but only as add-ons to professional anti-spyware and anti-virus software. Although free anti-spyware and anti-virus do offer protection from spyware and malware to some degree they are not always effective and finding and cleaning your computer of infections, their updates also tend to feature a lot less definitions, these updates take longer to come out too. Some free anti-spyware programs are rouge spyware programs in disguise so be careful while downloading and installing free anti-spyware, you will end up infecting your PC further.
