KEEP YOUR HOME COMPUTER SAFE

After receiving many requests from our teachers and students about removing spyware, adware and hijackers, we are including the following information to help you remove these problems from your home computers and to prevent them from re-installing themselves on your home computers.

Do you ever install software from the internet that is free such as Gainware, Weather bot, Internet Explorer menu and icon bars, screensavers etc.? Do you ever play free games?  Guess why these things are free. Many (not all) of these free items are free because the producers make their money through advertising. Their free programs install spyware, adware and hijackers to your computer so they can get your personal information, track what you do and where you go (on the Internet) and provide you with a steady stream of advertisement pop-ups that they thing you might be interested in.

In some cases these programs will use your processor time, ram memory and Internet bandwidth causing your computer to slow down or even fail. they may change your default home page in internet explorer to one that they would rather you use. In some cases Internet Explorer stops working all together.

The following pages will help you remove these problems, although some of them are really difficult to get rid of, and help you prevent them from reinstalling themselves to your computer.

Removal of spyware, adware and hijackers

Configuration of Internet Explorer to prevent infection

Explanation of Cookies and how to control them

Microsoft Security At Home-Protect Your PC  Microsoft has provided an excellent source of information and configurations to keep your home computer safe.