Apr '08 Tools

Malicious software - known as malware, includes viruses and spyware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. Criminals create appealing websites, desirable downloads, and compelling offers to lure you to links that will download malware.

Malware includes viruses, which are programs that copy themselves without your permission, and spyware, which are programs installed without your consent to monitor or control your computer activity. Criminals are hard at work thinking up creative ways to get malware on your computer. They create appealing web sites, desirable downloads, and compelling stories to lure you to links that will download malware, especially on computers that don’t use adequate security software. Then, they use the malware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud.

Your computer may be infected with malware if it:

Slows down, malfunctions, or displays repeated error messages
Won’t shut down or restart
Serves up a lot of pop-up ads, or displays them when you’re not surfing the web
Displays web pages or programs you didn’t intend to use, or sends emails you didn’t write.

If you suspect malware may be on your computer you should:

Stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information. Malware on your computer could be sending your personal information to identity thieves.
Confirm that your security software is active and current. At a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall.
Once your security software is up-to-date, run it to scan your computer for viruses and spyware, deleting anything the program identifies as a problem.
If you suspect your computer is still infected, you may want to run a second anti-virus or anti-spyware program – or call in professional help.
Once your computer is back up and running, think about how malware could have been downloaded to your machine, and what you could do to avoid it in the future.

Next, confirm that your security software is active and current: at a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. Security software protects against the newest threats only if it is up-to-date. That’s why it is critical to set your security software to update automatically.

Some scam artists distribute malware disguised as anti-spyware software. Don't purchase software in response to unexpected pop-up messages or emails, especially ads that claim to have scanned your computer and detected malware. It's a tactic scammers have used to spread malware

Once you are certain your security software is up-to-date, run it to scan your computer for viruses and spyware. Delete everything the program identifies as a problem. You may have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If you suspect that your computer still is infected, you may want to run a second anti-spyware or anti-virus program. Some computer security experts recommend installing one program for real-time protection, and another for periodic scans of your machine as a way to stop malware that might have slipped past the first program.

If your security software isn’t doing the job properly, you may need to pay for technical support. Many companies, including some affiliated with retail stores, offer tech support via the phone, online, at their store, or in your home. Telephone or online help generally are the least expensive ways to access support services, especially if there’s a toll-free helpline. Taking your computer to a store usually is less expensive than hiring a technician or repair person to come to your home.