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Browser Hijacking, Spyware. Ways to prevent it.

After you visit certain web sites, you notice that your default home page and search pages change without notice. You close your browser but several browser windows open by themselves. Many of the browser windows include ads for pornographic sites or other outrageous advertising. What happened? How did they get control over your browser? Over your computer?

Spyware and other unwanted software refers to software that performs certain tasks on your computer, typically without your consent. This may include giving you advertising or collecting personal information about you. There are tools available to assist with spyware. Many of them are free for personal use. Microsoft helps users keep their PC free of spyware and other malicious programs with the release of Windows Defender for XP and Vista. Check their website for more information on how to obtain and utilize this free utility. Spyware removal tools such as Malware Bytes, which offers a freeware version for personal use or Spybot Search and Destroy, which also offers a freeware spyware detection utility, are programs that assist users in detecting and removing browser hijacking programs that have been installed on your PC.

Mailicious Software Removal Tool from Microsoft
If you keep your Windows Operating System up to date using Windows Update, you may have noticed monthly updates to the Malicious Software Removal Tool. With updates released the second Tuesday of each month, this utility can scan your system for known malicious software and remove it. To see the utility in action on your PC, simply click Start, then Run and type "MRT", then click OK. See the Mailicious Software Removal Tool site for more information.

If you don't feel comfortable getting under the hood...
Our technicians have been assisting customers in ridding their computers of spyware and providing helpful tips on how to keep it off. Simply contact our Help Desk at 888-463-8327 (845-5640 Local Calls) and ask to make an appointment to bring your PC in or we offer on-site service for an additional service fee.

$45 trip charge will only be applied once for any on-site issues. NetEase is not responsible for data loss due to faulty hardware or corrupted files.

Ways to prevent spyware
There are a few things you need to do.

1. If you are using Windows XP or Internet Explorer, run Windows Update by clicking on the Tools Menu and choose Windows Update. Windows Vista users will find Windows Update by clicking the Windows Button and scroll to Programs. Follow all the steps which will guide you through downloading and installing the most critical updates and patches for your operating system. Be prepared to spend some time with this step as there are several updates that may take a while to download and install.
2. Open your control panel and open Internet Options to the Security tab. In the activex area, disable activex that is not marked as safe and not signed. If they can't sign their own code, you certainly shouldn't run it on your system. For activex marked as safe and signed, set to prompt.
     Why is activex so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it? When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from double clicking an exe file on your hard drive. Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?
3. Maintain anti-virus software installed on your PC. Almost every PC manufacturer is including at least a trial version of anti-virus software on new PC's. The problem is that when the trial period runs out, more than half the users fail to purchase or renew the software. Not having updated virus definitions is like not running anti-virus software at all.
4. Install a personal firewall on your PC such as ZoneAlarm. If using Windows XP or Windows Vista, there is a firewall option for your Internet connection. Beware of programs that may alter the Internet Firewall to open ports without your knowlege.
5. Download a reputable spyware removal tool. Make sure the one you choose offers updates as patterns hijackers use change frequently.
6. Excercise caution when agreeing to or accepting self installing programs from web sites. Some sites such that offer online gaming, e-cards, etc. are also popular for injecting advertising into your computer with such programs.
7. Keep other programs on your computer updated. Unfortunately, there are many malicious programs that will take advantage of vulnerabilities in other programs. As these vulnerabilities are discovered, software developers will release updates to prevent future problems. Some programs offer update features that will automatically do this for you. FileHippo.com offers a free utility that will check your computer for commonly used programs and offer easy links to update those programs.