Free Spyware Removal

Computer security - a first and easy step to preventing spyware on your computer. Tweaking the apps you use can make a difference. Also, consider using applications that are not targeted by hackers. If you are uncomfortable following the steps below, please consult a computer professional.

Disable ActiveX in Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer users are a prime target. Either switch to another browser, or turn off ActiveX. ActiveX allows Internet spies to take control of your computer.

Go to the Start menu and choose Settings, then Control Panel. On the Control Panel, select Internet Options. Click the Security tab on the Internet Properties window, then click the [Custom Level] button. Select DISABLE for the first five options in the Security window.

Disable HTML in Outlook
If you are using Outlook as your e-mail client, either start using another client, or protect yourself by disabling HTML email. Outlook is the most highly targeted software for spreading worms and most types of virus.

Internet spies often make use of HTML e-mails to distribute files. You will need to disable the HTML option to display messages only in plain text.

Open your Outlook program. Go to the Tools menu and choose Options. Click the Read tab on the Options window. Put a checkmark in the “Read all e-mail in plain text” box. For added protection, you may want to uncheck the “Automatically download message when viewing in the Preview Pane” box. This will help you control the items downloaded to your computer without your knowledge.

How to prevent e-mail SPAM?
SPAMmers are very shady when it comes to collecting your e-mail addresses anymore. Whereas they used to just buy lists of e-mail addresses from sites that would sell them, now they harvest them.

1. Be very careful about what sites you send your address to. Most legit sites will explicitly state that they will not sell your address. If they don't state this, it's anybody's guess as to whether or not it'll end up on some SPAMmers list.
2. Never click unsubscribe to any SPAM that you know isn't from a legit source! I cannot stress this enough. If you get an e-mail from CNet or whatnot, then go ahead, BUT if you receive one about 'enhancing' certain parts of you that you don't usually have out in the open, then clicking the unsubscribe like will only VERIFY for them that the account is active. You won't stop getting the SPAM, you'll get MORE.
3. Don't post your e-mail in any readable format on a forum or blog. SPAMmers have webcrawlers just like the search engines do. The difference is, these harvest the e-mail addresses on the pages and add them to their lists. If you do post your e-mail on a blog or whatnot, then use a format like this: username <at> wherever dot net. I imagine that the more intelligent crawlers will even get that, but at least most of them will not pick it up like they would username@wherever.net.
4. Have a separate e-mail account. I have an account specifically set aside for SPAM. I give it to websites and the like. They usually have mailing lists of their own, and some, as stated above, will sell you out.
5. Some trojans on people's machines also harvest the addresses out of their address book. In this case, there isn't much that you can do, since your friends are likely to have you in their book. Spyware removal is definitely a major way to cut down on your, and your address book's SPAM. So, if you buddy has some spyware on his system, have him use a spyware removal tool, then change your e-mail address. Filters are great and all, but they don't stop everything, and often stop what they shouldn't.