Adware and Spyware

How to Prepare Your Computer:
"Safety First" on the Student Network
at Schreiner University

Avoiding Adware and Spyware

Protect your computer from spyware and adware--a page of information and suggestions from Microsoft
- What you should know about spyware--informative article from Microsoft with good advice of several kinds
- "Related Links" on the same Microsoft page
- Overview: Windows Defender helps protect your computer from spyware and other unwanted software
- Security Basics - What is Spyware - Microsoft Security

MSN Tech & Gadgets--explanations, review, and recommendations of anti-adware and anti-spyware tools
- Their pick: Spybot Search and Destroy -- free
- They also recommend some paid software, including PestPatrol, Ad-Aware paid version (they have a free version too), McAfee AntiSpyware, and Webroot's Spy Sweeper

Download Sources for Free Protection Software:
Personal Firewall Software
Software to block/detect adware and spyware

Note: Schreiner University does not endorse or promote any of these products.
These links are provided only as a convenience to students who choose to use them.

Firewall Software -- typically, these have a free version (which is what you probably should go for) but also a "paid" version. Be sure which one you are downloading.
- Zone-Alarm (a Zone Labs product)
  - Download Free Zone Alarmfrom Zone Alarm's website
Anti Adware/Spyware Software -- these have a free version (which is what you probably should go for) but also a "paid" version. Be sure which one you are downloading.
- Spybot Search & Destroy
  - Download itfrom download.com -- link not working as of 2008-04-15
- Ad-Aware (a Lavasoft product)
  - < Ad-Aware Homeat lavasoft.com
  - latest reference filefor Ad-Aware
- Microsoft's "Defender" -- comes with Vista, but is also available as a free download for Windows XP SP2
  - Overview: Windows Defender helps protect your computer from spyware and other unwanted software