Before I explain how to prevent spyware from being installed on your computer, let me first of all explain what spyware is.

What is Spyware?

Spyware or Adware is software that is installed on your computer without your permission or consent.

The software can be used to monitor your online activities. It does many of the under listed things to your computer:

• It monitor your internet surfing

• It records your keystrokes

• It sends you pop-up ads

• It re-directs your computer to websites

Let me also use this opportunity to tell you some of the things you should look out for to know whether spyware is on your computer:

1. When there is a sudden change in your computers internet home page

2. When pop-up ads come up every now and then

3. When your browser takes you to sites other than the one you typed into the address bar.

4. When you see random messages

5. When your tab key refuses to work properly

6. Sluggish or slow performance when opening programs or saving files.

Now let me show you the various things you can do to prevent spyware installation.

• Update your operating system and web browser software. These operating systems may offer free software patches to close holes in the system that spyware could exploit. In fact, this is done on a regular basis by the windows operating system.

• You are advised not to install any software if you don't know the source. I was ignorant of this at the beginning of my internet business. I installed on my system anything free. This can be injurious to your computer.

• Those links that pop-up while you are browsing may contain spyware. Don't click on them. You can just close them immediately they come up

• You are also not to respond to any promotion in your inbox asking you to click a link that offers anti spyware protection. Give no recognition to SPAM mails. Just delete them immediately you see them.

• Protect your computer. Install a personal firewall to prevent unauthorized users. There are so many sites now that are offering free spyware protection. However, be careful when you want to choose one. I have a FREE one installed on my system