Every day of the week virus, spyware, and adware creators come up with new, ingenious ways to gain access to your PC. These simple pointers will help keep the hackers at bay:

Stop and think before you click: Downloaded files that end with .exe, .com, .bat, and .scr, (also files with .doc and .xls extensions), can render your computer completely useless with a single click. Many e-mail programs block access to any attachments so take the extra time and think for a few seconds before you decide to open it or not.

Use an anti-spam filter: Most viruses and spyware are installed by various methods of Internet browser hijacking however, e-mail is still a very common source. Use of a junk-mail filter will significantly reduce the likelihood of running harmful scripts contained within messages.

Keep your antivirus software up to date: Using antivirus software that has expired past it’s subscription period is definitely not an option: Not only do you lack the crucial virus database updates, but you expose your system to malware that targets known flaws in antivirus software.

Prevention against WORMS and Viruses: Install antivirus software, update regularly, and use it regularly. Never open unsolicited e-mail attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS, or PIF.Disconnect your network or modem cable when you are not using your computer.

Antivirus software is software that is installed on your computer that protects you from viruses. Antivirus software programs contain in the region of 40,000 – 100,000 “malicious software definitions” that are updated on a daily or as needed basis.

I highly recommend Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus (Free) for antivirus protection.

If in doubt try online: You should only install and use one single antivirus program at a time on your computer because multiple antivirus programs will conflict with one another and cause your computer to completely grind to a halt. If you have any doubt about your antivirus program’s effectiveness, you can use a free online virus scanner, such as Panda Software’s ActiveScan) or Trend Micros HouseCall.

Download with care: Any program you download and run on your computer system could potentially result in spyware or virus infection. Download software only from reputable online sources that guarantee that all software is free from malicious software.

Use a two-way firewall: Windows XP and Vista each come with a firewall that blocks unwanted or unexpected incoming traffic; it is enabled by default in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and later. However for the best protection possible, you will also want to block unwanted outgoing connections made by spyware, viruses and scripts on your PC that attempts to either connect to a remote server or send out spam.

Windows Vista’s firewall does have that fucntionality, but configuring it is not entirely simple enough for the average Windows user. Instead, you can get one of several free bidirectional firewall programs, such as Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Free, or Agnitums Outpost Firewall Free.

Make use of antispyware program: Anyone who uses a computer can succumb to spyware infection. In fact, 9 out of 10 Internet-connected PCs are infected with some kind of virus. Spyware can be any application that tracks your online or offline PC activity, serves you adverts, redirects your pages and bombards you with pop-ups. If you use the Internet, its possible that some form of virus threats are already active at work on your PC system.

Spyware can ocassionally go unnoticed however, it is more likely that you will notice that it is present on your computer system due to the obvious symptoms that your computer may experience. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get rid of but not entirely impossible.

Even if you suspect you have successfully removed an unwanted program manually, a remaining dormant file can trigger a complete reinstallation the next time you restart your computer. And as a survival tactic, spyware programs often leave similar traces elsewhere on your system so you can often never eliminate it completely after only one attempt.

Spyware, adware, and some scripts / trojans slow down your system, cause crashes, and track your online activity. Antispyware utilities work much like antivirus software, detecting and removing the unwanted software from your PC.

One free tactic you can employ is to upgrade from Windows XP: As Microsoft service Pack 2 makes Windows XP much safer, although the operating system still has many security flaws which can be exploited, and it remains prime target for spyware creators.

If you still have a slow PC after trying the software above and you think it may be due to spyware, you can find more help and information on fixing your slow computer at Slow Computer Help.

First off, is it really necessary to have anti-virus and firewall software installed on your computer? Afterall, with only 200 new threats created daily, who really cares? Is it really that big of a deal if hackers are able to access your computer, look through your data, user names, passwords, and account information? Seriously, is identitiy theft really that important to you? Or what about the viruses that cause your computer to go so slow you think you will never be able to load your Internet browser. Why should you worry about malware that can cause your system files to be destroyed or your favorite family photos stored on your computer to disappear in an instant? Does it concern you that your email can be sent to thousands of spam sites and pop-ups are all over your screen offering you software to fix your computer?

Any idea what causes these types of issues? How about malware, which broken down is short for malicious software such as viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits, spyware, adware, I think you get the point. Oh wait, I forgot, you have a customized super sized computer that is not vulnerable to viruses. When I hear people tell me this, I tend to wait and act surprised when they come back saying, “oh no, I got a virus”.

It does not matter how sophisticated your computer is, you are vulnerable to malware! If you don’t have internet security software installed on your pc, you are at risk of being infected with viruses, spyware and even hackers that want nothing more than to steal your information.

So what should you do now that you already have viruses on your computer? Well you could download the latest internet security software and hope it will detect, delete or repair the infected files. Many times you will have to do a re-format of your harddrive which will cause you to lose everything on your computer so be sure to save what you want first. If you do a re-format, it has to be done properly, or it will not delete the viruses. I would recommend you to contact your local computer shop.

Although Internet security and anti-virus software will protect you against these threats, no software is guaranteed to block 100% of all malware. Many of these threats are found on websites that you visit and files that you download such as video’s, music and pictures. If you use peer to peer file sharing, I am sure you already know all about viruses and spyware. Want a hint? Stop downloading from those sites and you will stop getting viruses.

Okay, here are a couple internet security software programs I recommend that offer the best protection, features and support. First is Security Shield 2008, this is a rebrand of F-Secure and is absolutely amazing and easy to use. Another is Kaspersky Internet Security, another well designed software program with hourly updates.

The key is to locate a quality anti-spyware software product that can do the job for you. Many people choose to attempt Trojan virus fix by themselves to save a couple of dollars, which is admirable, but a headache if you do not have working experience with executable files. Larger problems could be created.

The other popular route is for people to find a free spyware program, which has a backside as well for the majority of the products. In many of the free software programs, EULAs (End User License Agreements) gets your confirmed permission to inject adware onto your PC, which can cause system instabilities. There are some good free products but the choices are few without a catch.

If you are not sure if Trojans are on your PC, the following list contains some common symptoms that can demonstrate the need for Trojan Virus Fix:

1. Random files open

2. You are experiencing slow computer problems

3. You are being sent to websites you did not want to visit

4. Your current homepage was just changed to an adult site (or an unwanted one)

5. Annoying pop ups and toolbars are all appearing

6. Mouse cursor has a trail or has the right and left button functions reversed

7. Navigation buttons disappear on your PC

8. Computer reboots or shuts down on its own

9. Alt + Control + Delete is not responding

10. Your computer’s internet is moving extremely slowly Three Steps to Trojan Virus Fix:Step One: Enter All of Your Current Computer Issues onto a List

Though you may think that this step has nothing to do with having your problems fixed, a starting measurement of issues can be useful when assessing the effectiveness at the completion of the steps in this article. Keep in mind that spyware software will not alone fix every problem that your computer has, but it can make a difference in a large portion of the issues.

Notice details like when the problems occur the most (during start up or while on the internet) and if the issues occur during use with a particular program. The list above can guide your initial thoughts, but obviously expand your list. Step Two: Select a Free Scan Option for the Trojan Virus Fix

Deciding on a Trojan removal product can seem intimidating because of all of the choices on the internet. The fact remains that there are several great products that can complete the scan and repair for you with fantastic results.

When deciding on software for this step, look for one that is not complex, one that offers extensive assistance files (local or online), a software that contains a large solutions (definitions) database, and a product that has received good online reviews with very little negative mentions online. Obviously, you will see some negative since the internet allows anyone to post anything, but look to see how many complaints exist.

Once you decide on a scanning tool, choose the scanning start option and allow the software to turn up a list of detailed threats to your computer. Check the severity level of the threats. Trojan virus fix starts with understanding what problems and threat levels already exist.Step Three: If Threats are Found, Invest in the Repair Function of the Software

If you have already downloaded and scanned, you are 99 percent done with the time investment necessary. The repair itself only takes seconds. The removal of Trojans is confirmed by rerunning the scan immediately after repair. The higher the threat levels, the more vital it is to get the problem fixed.

Keep in mind that it is always good to have a computer protection plan in place throughout the year, not just when symptoms have impacted your computer in a negative way. Trojan virus fix is only a small portion of the concern. A quality spyware removal product will handle Trojans, adware, malware, keyloggers, browser hijackers, worms, and pop-up generators. You will also want to consider a registry repair software since your Windows registry is the brain center of your file organization and user preferences in the computer. Finally, if you have it in the budget, look at getting a general virus protection program. You will have a triple protection through these three directions.

If you just want the current challenges fixed, the most important feature to look for is a good sized definitions database of 250,000 items that can detect and remove threats. The definitions database is basically the items that can recognize problems so that they can be removed. It is a lot like if you had to look up a certain medical condition to get it cured and a large medical dictionary will exceed the information found in a small one.

Once you complete the repair on your PC, restart your system to allow the changes to take effect. Refer back to your list from step one and see how many of the problems were eliminated completely. If some of the issues still exist, rerun the scan and repair, and again, it might be a wise move to add some general virus protection to the mix. Still, there should be a noticeable difference in the performance of the computer just from the steps mentioned here. Trojan virus fix is that simple.

This means that users need to remain ever vigilant to avoid becoming the victim of a potentially very harmful computer virus. It is important for every computer owner to know that not all viruses are the same. Some computer viruses are just annoying, generating popup ads as you browse the web, or increasing the amount of SPAM you receive.

Other types of computer virus, however, can be more dangerous. Some computer viruses can wipe out a hard drive, or steal your personal information and files. To make matters worse, some computer viruses are able to hide in a computer for some time, activating at a future date and doing their damage when triggered by certain events or dates.

Fortunately, computer owners do not have to be at the mercy of computer virus coders. There are a number of measures computer users can take to protect themselves from viruses, Trojan horses, adware, spyware and other malicious code on the internet.

For starters, it is essential that all computer users install a good quality anti virus software program BEFORE their computer is connected to the internet. This is because there are programs that constantly search the internet, looking for computers that are unprotected by virus scanning software. A recent survey by a security organisation found that it takes only minutes for a computer to become infected with viruses and spyware. Installing an anti virus software program is vital to protecting yourself from these malicious programs.

It is also important to update that anti virus software program on a regular basis. In the past, many computer security experts recommended doing updates on a weekly basis, but most agree that weekly updates are no longer sufficient. It is generally best to update the anti virus software you install daily, and to schedule those updates to run automatically. Running the updates automatically will ensure you do not forget to update the software, and running the updates daily will ensure that you are protected against the latest threats.

Most users will want to schedule the updates to their virus scanning software to occur during the night, when they are asleep. Running these updates when the computer is not in use is a good idea for a number of reasons. For one thing, updating the anti virus software when the computer is not in use will ensure that there are no conflicts, and that the program is able to update itself to detect the latest computer virus. Running the updates after hours will also prevent the updates from interfering with web surfing or any other activity. Running a computer virus protection update can sometimes interfere with other software, so it is best to run it automatically, when you do not need the computer for other things.

You can protect your pc against different security threats prowling on the cyberspace by using free tools. The protection these programs offer is quite good. You may wonder why an earth to use so many spyware scanners? The answer to this question is simple. One scanner was not able to detect all threats, so it was appropriate to use several. All these spyware and virus detection and removal tools worked well and did their mission. Spyware Doctor is worth to mention, because it was the only program to detect register files infection. This phenomena reduced the performance of my computer remarkably, if it appeared.

When I bought a new computer, I decided to purchase Norton Internet Security 2009. The brand name was familiar to me previously, because as a Yahoo mail user I happened to know that Yahoo scans all attachments by using Norton Antivirus. So I thought it was a good choice. I have now used  Norton Internet Security 2008 and 2009 over one year. I was able to upgrade to the new version for free. After I started to use the 2009 version, I noticed that it was more user friendly and faster than the 2008 version. Many times when I used the older version I wondered, why I have to do so many clicks in order to get my database updated. Now in this version of 2009 updating is easy and automatic as well as scanning.

The free tools I used before detected several times all kinds of spyware, adware and viruses on my computer. It seemed that there were certain “security holes” in this system through which malware was able to access into the computer. In addition, it took time to scan the computer by using several different scanners. Norton Internet Security 2009 provides more comprehensive protection against all kinds of security threats. It has antivirus, spyware protection, two-way firewall, intrusion prevention, operating system and application protection as well as web site authentication. Based on my experience, I can say that Norton Internet Security 2009 has provided a very good protection and it has kept my computer clean. It has not even detected any serious infections.