Viruses have cost businesses and individuals millions of dollars!
There are still many businesses and individuals who are still not using antivirus software.  Even those who have bought antivirus software don’t realize that many of the antivirus programs on the market today require a yearly subscription to keep it up to date.  Not keeping the antivirus software up to date is just as bad as not having it at all.

FREE Alternatives that are just as good, if not better, than paid versions!

Online Virus Scan
Free Antivirus Software! - We use this throughout our entire office!  Most of our business clients use it too!

Some indications that your computer may contain spyware are:

• Poor system performance, especially while browsing the Internet.
• The computer stops responding more frequently.
• Computer takes longer to open the Windows desktop.
• Browser closes unexpectedly or stops responding.
• Performing a search from a search page provides results on a different site.
• Clicking a link does nothing or goes to a non-related Web site.
• Browser home page changes and may not be able to be reset.
• Pop-up advertising windows appear when the browser is not open or over Web pages that do not normally have pop-ups.
• Additional toolbars are added to the browser.
• Web pages are automatically added to list of favorites.
• Desktop icons are automatically added to the desktop.

CAUTION: Be wary when installing software distributed as no-cost. The cost of installing the software may be slower Internet connection times, annoying pop-up ads, or even an increase in unwanted e-mails (spam).

Defining spyware, adware, and browser hijacking software

There are many types of software related to advertising and aggressive marketing. The types of advertising software vary, but are generally the following:

• Adware - Software that supports itself or another program by displaying ads while you are connected to the Internet. Most adware programs track how you browse the Internet and report the information to an interested party.
• Spyware - Software that gathers and transmits information without one's knowledge. Spyware programs usually track information about the Web sites visited, browser and system information, and your computer IP address (the number that represents a network device on the Internet).
• Browser hijacking software - Aggressive advertising software programs that change the settings of your browser without your knowledge. These can be very annoying and may appear as a virus at first (slow Internet connection and lots of network activity). Typical changes from hijacking software are: the browser's home page address, search bars, tool bars, the creation of desktop shortcuts, and intermittent advertising pop-ups. Once a browser is hijacked it may also redirect links to other sites that advertise or collect your usage information.

Adaware SE