Lots of spyware infultrate computers nowadays.  Spyware can slow down your computer, throw pop-ups on your computer, or at the worst steal your information.  It’s not easy manually removing these malicious infections.  There are many different types of software that are supposed to remove spyware, but one of the top anti-spyware software packages is SuperAntiSpyware.

Yes, this software name sounds like it might be some hoax that will get  you to install it, possibly leading to more spyware infections.  But, SuperAntiSpyware gets ride of trojans, adware, viruses, website redirectors, and other infections.  It has a free version that works well.  The paid version constantly monitors for spyware and gets rid of malicious items instantly.  This is definitely a good tech software to keep in your toolchest.

The Conficker worm hype came and went.  On April 1st, our tech support company had many inquiries that summed up the same inquisitive questions:

1. Is the Conficker worm real?  Should I worry about it?
2. How do I protect myself from it?

We answered that the Conficker worm is a worm that has been wreaking havoc for months now.  It’s just that this new Conficker worm is a stronger variant and could be released on April 1st, or just receive instructions to do something later, or maybe just be a dud.

In regard to protection of this virus, the typical routine of updating your anti-virus as well as Windows updates should do the trick.  Removing temp files and removing system restore are also good ways to protect against viruses.

The Conficker worm did, in fact, turn out to be a dud.  Yes, we had users with infected PCs, but they were not Conficker worm infections.  So, what’s the take-home message from Conficker.  It could still be out there, but most importantly, you should be proactively preventing your computer from all viruses or else you’ll be the next virus victim out there.  Reactionary responses to computer are never the best and that’s why preventative computer maintenance is always the best way to go.

The Conficker virus has been all over the news and online sites for preparing you for the worst this April Fools Day.  The virus, Conficker, is intended to bury itself deep into the Windows operating system, and then hack in to steal passwords, credit card info, and bank info.  Further, the virus will spread from computer to computer and could ultimately use the computers to send spam, viruses, and spyware to many other computers. 

Why on April Fools?  The virus is said to possibly be in Windows computers right now.  And it’s code is to trigger on April 1st at midnight, connect to other computers, and then scan thousands of websites to get a new set up instructions informing it what to do next.  Pretty dramatic, isn’t it? 

There have been earlier versions of Conficker, but all have been duds compared to the image of the new upcoming version.  Symantec security experts indicated that they are not totally buying this April Fools prank as truthful.  They said this specific time of virus replication could be put out to the public as a prank or possibly to release it earlier or later.  Basically, they feel the timing of this could be all off or not even a valid point at all since it could just be a joke.

Whether a myth or reality, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  You can protect yourself from the Conficker virus by downloading Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool as well as updating your anti-virus software.

Typically, spyware will send your Internet website preferences to advertisers.  In turn, your computer will receive pop-ups or spam in the form of promotions and advertising.  Nowadays, spyware has taken a more malicious turn, deeply infecting your computer for no rhyme or reason.

The latest malicious spyware is Antivirus2010.  This spyware not only infects your computer by taking over the Windows host file, a major Windows file, but it also further infects your system by making believe it is helping you remove it.  For instance, it attempts to re-direct you to an old cnet.com website for downloading a supposed anti-virus software.  Instead, if installed, it will actually perpetuate the infection and soon cripple your internet browsing and Windows navigation.

To remove this infection, make sure your Windows updates are installed and you can use Malware Bytes as a solid anti-spyware for removal.

The Win32 Heur virus is a nasty little bugger that will slow down your computer; cause you to be re-directed to websites; and pop up odd boxes at startup.

This file lies in the Windows folder as well in the registry.  A manual removal is not possible since this virus contains a .bat executable that repeatedly loads after attempting to remove it.

Typically, you’ll need a couple of different anti-spyware and anti-virus software to get rid of this malicious trojan.  A couple of good free software programs to use are: AVG Free, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Malware Bytes

Please make sure to remove this trojan immediately before it’s too late.  Too late means that you might have to have a computer repair technician recover your files and reinstall Windows for you.

You may avoid this virus by staying away from P2P sites, such as Limewire and others where you can download free music, photos and files.

There are lots of vicious viruses and spyware out there that can attack your computer.  There is one nowadays that always seems to take the lead with infecting Windows computers.  This is the spyware that pops up at the bottom-right of your screen and says “Your computer is infected with spyware.”  This message may take on different variations, such as “Install Antispyware 2009 to remove” or “You’ve been infected with Win Antispyware…”

You can install different anti-spyware software to remove this infection.  However, once of the easiest and quickest ways is to find the culprit, usually one bad file, and kill it. 

You can quickly remove the spyware by following the below steps:

1. Click on Start->Run and type msconfig
2. Click on Startup Tab
3. Look for any suspicious files ending in .exe that are located in Windows, Windows\system32, temp or temporary internet files
4. Google the files to confirm if they are legit or malicious
5. If malicious, uncheck the file from running at startup.
6. Then, restart your computer, tap  F8 to go into safe mode
7. Search for the malicious file and remove.

Those 7 quick steps should remove you spyware issue.  If you still experience problems, you should consult with your nearby tech support company.

AVG has released a new version of its free software: Version 8.  Instead of just an anti-virus software, it includes protection against spyware, e-mail viruses, a links.  The newest form of protection, link scanner, protects against dangerous websites, pop-ups, and downloads.  Also, link scanner will warn you have dangerous links in searched sites all in real time.

AVG can now compete with Norton’s Security, McAfee Security suite, and other all-in-one protection products.  It is still fast, doesn’t slow down your computer, and goes unnoticed until it runs a daily scan or update. 

After 30 days, the e-mail scanning feature turns off, but the virus, spyware, and link protection remain.  Finally, this is the first solid free virus and spyware protection software available.  And we’re definitely on board.

Spyware Doctor is one of the best spyware removal software tools out there.  It detects the most spyware hidden on your computer, and removes it effortlessly.  Whether you have pop-ups, malware, spyware, low-level viruses, or malicious registry links, Spyware Doctor will find it and remove it. 

Here’s the skinny though - Spyware Doctor, by having it loaded on your computer, will slow down your system.  Spyware Doctor constantly looks for malicious info on your computer so its auto-feature really bogs down your speed. 

So, what do you?  Install Spyware Doctor, update it for the latest spyware, run a full scan.  When you’re done removing the spyware, click on the “shutdown” option of Spyware Doctor so it will not be automatically loaded afterwards.  You can even fully remove the program and just install it when necessary.  Once you buy this software, you’ll always have an available license to reload it.

If you’re looking for free music, chances are that you’ve gone to Limewire.  Studies have shown that 20% of P2P, or peer to peer network community go with Limewire.  Limewire’s competitors are:  Kazaa, Bearshare, Napster, and iTunes.  P2P means that free content, such as songs, video and pictures are able to be downloaded for free and also shareable to other members from shared folders. 

Limewire has been popular for 10 year now.  Its network is off the Gnutella network which is the form of the  shared medium.  It now uses Bit Torrent to speed up downloads as it has increasingly upgraded its bandwidth to support the rising subscriber levels.

Please keep in mind that all free downloads will come with some form of spyware, especially if shared on your computer.  Please also have a good anti-spyware and anti-virus software protection package if considering P2P software.

The April Fool’s Worm is in full effect, and you should be on the look-out.  Any email with the subject related to “April Fool’s Day” should be treated with care.  In other words, delete any e-mails with such a subject.

This worm is a remnant of the Storm Worm that was active during Valentine’s Day.  Once the worm is downloaded, it opens up firewall filters to attempt to make calls via ports.

This worm and other may worms may be defended against by having active anti-spyware.