how do I prevent spyware cookies from being saved on my computer?

Question

I run the anti spyware tool on my yahoo tool bar, but seems like there should be a program that flushes them out before they invade your system

Answer 1

Unfortunately there is no way to do that with a 100% effectiveness, and if you turn off the cookies (do not accept any cookies) you will generate other problems and possibly not be able to go to certain websites and navigate properly. As suggested above there are LOTS of free software available to at least remove them quickly such as Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Yahoo Spy-Ware or Spybot which are free, I would just change a recommendation made above and run it once a day if you surf a lot, if not once every 2-3 days. Aaron's suggestion is not bad but is time consuming and implies that you know which cookies you wish to keep which is not usually the case with users.

Answer 2

the easiest and fadtest way is this. download ccleaner from download.com. it has a cleaner that is superfast. when you first set it up don't install yahoo toolbar. uncheck everythin except the desktop icon option. when you first open the program you'll see an options button. click on that, then cookies. you'll see the cookies on your pc. you can move all the ones you'd like to keep to the keep side. then you're ready to go. click cleaner again and run it. all cookies except the ones you selected to keep along with all other internet trash will be wiped from your machine. it's quick and easy. running it after the first time takes lees than 30 seconds if done daily. easiest and fastest way....... promise.

Answer 3

you could turn off cookies in your browser options but that would also turn off the good ones like when you automatically log into yahoo etc. so do the following and you will stop most of the bad ones from entering your computer.

★★ FIREWALLS ★★

◙ What is a firewall? This is a program that protects you from the dangers of the internet. It helps to stop adware, back doors, cookies, dialers, hijackers, key loggers, spyware, thiefware, trojan horses, viruses, worms, and zombie pcs and a host of other nasties getting into your computer. There are two types of firewalls. There are one-way and two-way firewalls. The one-way type stops most things from getting in. The two-way type stops things from getting in and stops the few that slipped through from reporting back to their owners.

◙ The firewall that comes with Windows XP is a one-way. But it's better than nothing at all. To turn it on click the Start Menu > Control Panel > Windows Firewall. But I suggest that you don't use it. Instead do the following.

◙ Every computer that is connected to the internet should be behind two firewalls. You should have both a hardware firewall (a router with a firewall built into it) and a software firewall.

◙ Even if you never plan to network your home PC you should still use a router. The most common way for hackers to get into your computer is by using a port scanner program. It sends packets of data to your ip number and reports back to the owner if there are any vulnerable ports in your computer. Look for a router with a firewall with both SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) and NAT (Network Address Translation). Most modern routers have this but be sure when you buy it. This type of router will slam the door on port scanners.

◙ A really good two-way software firewall is Zonealarm http://www.zonelabs.com/ . The problem is that it will drive you insane for awhile until it figures out what programs are supposed to automatically "phone home" over the internet and which ones aren't. Let's say it asks you if it's ok to allow AcroRD32.exe to communicate over the internet. Unless you know that AcroRD32.exe is Adobe's Acrobat Reader looking to update itself over the net you will be left unsure of what to do. But with everything you have to start somewhere. You'll catch on after awhile. BE SURE TO READ THE HELP PAGES AT ZONELABS' SITE.

◙ Another thing about Zonealarm to is that if you install any new software that updates itself you'll have to put up with this all over again. But only for that one program. Not all of the others all over again. :)

◙ Every firewall has an "Exceptions" section. This is where you allow certain programs to be ignored by the firewall. One such program would be Yahoo Messenger etc. The more "Exceptions" you select the more vulnerable your system will become. You have to decide between lots of cool programs that update themselves or TIGHT SECURITY!

◙ Here are two cool security places on Yahoo to checkout. These areas are good for more than just being safe at Yahoo. They will show you tricks that will work everywhere on the internet.

☞ http://family.yahoo.com/
☞ http://security.yahoo.com/

★★ TEST YOUR FIREWALL ★★

◙ Firewalls just sit there on your hard drive in the background doing what they do. It's hard to know if they are really doing their job. Below are some sites that will check it for you.

◙ DO NOT TRY THIS ON A NETWORKED COMPUTER! THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR MIGHT SEE IT AS AN ATTACK AND PULL THE PLUG! THEN THEY WILL COME POUNDING ON YOUR DOOR ASKING WHAT KIND OF AN IDIOT ARE YOU! YOU DON"T WANT THIS KIND OF VISIT! ONLY DO THIS ON YOUR OWN HOME COMPUTER! I'm sorry for the caps but you can't bold text in Yahoo Answers. So this was the next best thing.

◙ Here are some sites that will send zillions of packets of info to your computer's ip address to see if your firewall is working. They will then list whatever vulerablities exist if any. Try them all to see which one works the best for you.

☞ http://www.grc.com/
☞ http://scan.sygate.com/
☞ http://www.hackercheck.com/
☞ http://www.planet-security.net/

◙ The source of this information was "PCs, The Missing Manual". If you have Windows XP you really need to buy this wonderful book. It is worth every penny they are charging for it.

☞ http://www.missingmanuals.com/

Answer 4

download these 2 programs to prevent spyware cookies from installing:

Spyblaster
SpywareGaurd

Answer 5

At the top tools, options, privacy, cookies and select exeptions. Then enter the websites you want to allow

Answer 6

you dont just download a good spyware remover and run it at least once a week spybot,adaware and avg antispyware are all good and are free

Answer 7

Increase your privacy setting.