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Technology Bytes
by Francine Brokaw
Pest Patrol 2005 Anti-Spyware
We all know about using Anti Virus programs to detect and kill any viruses that might infect our computers, but Anti Spyware is also important to have. If you don’t already have an Anti Spyware program on your system, consider eTrust Pest Patrol from Computer Associates. This software detects and removes spyware as well as adware and other threats to your computing privacy.
Spyware is a little program that contacts a person or company and tattles on you. In effect, it phones back to another location and transfers information about your system and your internet habits. It’s basically an intrusion on your privacy, that is unless you don’t mind who knows exactly what you do when you boot up your computer. Spyware can be malicious in that someone can get your personal information and habits and steal your identity. It can also be used for targeting you as a consumer. A company can collect information about your interests and habits then tailor ads and emails to you designed on your personal information.
Adware displays those annoying ads on your computer. Other threats to your identity and privacy are “keyloggers” which can keep track of your keystrokes and thus steal your passwords, bank account numbers, or anything else you type on your system.
If this makes you angry and you don’t want your personal information going out to strangers, then you definitely need Anti Spyware.
Pest Patrol is easy to install. Basically all you do is insert the disc into your system and the program installs itself. All you need to do is type in your license key and you’re ready to go. Pest Patrol will scan your computer and report back to you if you have any suspect files. Then you have the choice what to do with them. You can quarantine them, delete them, or ignore them. It’s up to you. But you will know what exactly is on your computer after a scan.
Pest Patrol can be set up to schedule regular scans or you can scan your system at will. With automatic updates, the program will always have the latest files to search for and when or if they are found on your computer, you’ll get a notification.
Pest Patrol is user-friendly. Don’t worry about not being a computer genius to run this program. It’s easy and most importantly, it will give you some peace of mind.
With the threats against our computers coming at us from all over it’s important to keep your system as protected as possible. These days that means more than simply using anti virus software. It also means a firewall and anti spyware. Identity theft is on the rise. Keep your personal information out of prying eyes, even if those eyes are thousands of miles away! Malicious people can see everything you do when you’re online via spyware, etc. But you can stop them from looking into your computer with a few security precautions. And Pest Patrol is one of those programs that help keep your system a little more secure.
© 2005 Francine Brokaw
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