How do you really clean your computer and protect my computer from spys?

Question

I saw that there was spy ware someone can use to monitor your emails, chat, and deleted files. I would like to keep my personal life private without someone ever being able to scan my computer and find private emails, chat or deleted files. If I could find some software to detect if some has installed such software on my computer that would be great, free if possible. I also would like to know the best software to use to clean your computer of all items for safety.

I think I may have not been clear to most. I would like to make sure that no person could gain access to my hard drive and see where I have been or find deleted files. I know that when you delete files they are still on your computer. I would like to know how to make sure they are really gone, and there is no path left to find them or fine any real history. My computer has anti virus protection and it is running greatly. I was stunned to find out how simple it is for criminals, your spouse, boss, employees or hackers to install key logger type spy programs on your computer and watch your every move. Spy software is so easy to install and use, it can turn any eight year old into a seasoned hacker! They have even come out with "hybrid spy software" which disguises itself as an E-Greeting card! The moment you open it you're infected! These are the things I worry about.

Answer 1

You can also take a look at SpyBot. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
It can work well as a compliment to Ad-Aware.

Answer 2

Yahoo includes a pop-up blocker and Norton anti-spy. Use them frequently.

Do not open mail from someone you don't know.
If purchasing online, do not enter personal information and credit card information until you see the padlock on the bottom right of the screen, and https (instead of http) in the address box.

From Internet Explorer:
click Tools
cl Internet Options
Delete Cookies
Delete Files (offline)
Clear history
Set days to keep pages in History to 0

cl the Content tab
cl Autocomplete
clear all boxes

Nothing is 100%. Just be careful. Don't say anything you don't want published.

Answer 3

I run my computer exactly the way you want. The best thing to do to clean it up is to reformat it (serious). Then lock everything down, turn on firewalls, dont install plug-ins for your browser (hey flash is ok). You don't need antivirus and AdAware and those other gay programs. They are like viruses and eat just as much resources as a virus. I dont run any of them and have never had a virus. Always use your computer in a non-administrative user account, switching to admin-enabled when you need to install software. The limitations might be annoying at first but when everyone's computers around you have a virus and they are trying to get their antivirus programs working, you'll be happy you had those limitations.

Answer 4

Install all the following:

Tune Up Utilities (Normally its a 30 Day Evaluation)
Crap Cleaner (Free)
Registry Smart (Normally a shareware but you need to register)

You may wish to visit "Naughty Sites" for possible crack apps...its up to you....

Ad Aware SE Personal (Free)

Of course do not forget to install also an anti virus software - you may try Kaspersky Personal Pro - it stops virus before it reaches your computer. Version 6.0 would be fine as it consumes little of your resources.

Answer 5

A very good question . This is a very big problem nowadays and will even be a bigger problem in the future . But i can give you some good free software to keep your computer running safely .

1. Anti - Virus . A well known free anti virus is AVG Anti virus

can be found at the following link.

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10596553.html?tag=lst-0-1

as for a antispyware program - use adware se personal found it this link

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1

BUT most importantly of all is to keep your computer up to date with the latest security updates provided by microsoft every month. You can download these updates from the following link

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

I would have to say updating is the most important thing . With an antispy and an antivirus you should be in good hands , but to keep your computer running at its best you have to clean it and the my favorite piece of software is a cleaning utitly called CCLEANER. found at the following link.

http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10592746.html?tag=lst-0-1

With these programs you should have a good running computer.

Answer 6

relies upon what you mean by protection. Judging from the list i can see 2 courses that grant genuine time protection that are Threatfire and Avira, and presuming something else are loose variations then something else are scanner and get rid of. it interior of reason secure. that is mine: KIS 2010, mbam professional, SAS professional, and loose A-Squared people do not soak up account that technologies has more advantageous now. protection courses are a lot extra sleeker now and having only a real time protection out of your internet protection or antivirus may not be sufficient to save out rogue and different malware.

Answer 7

I am personally very satisfied with Lavasoft Ad-aware SE. Best of all, it's free. It eliminates all of the nasty stuff you acquire while surfing around the net. Look for it by name using any reputable search engine.

Answer 8

Here you have some good and free programs:
http://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/
Get an anti-spyware, an antivirus and a firewall and your computer will be OK.