How-To Keep Your Windows Computer Running Smoothly – Part 2

March 29th, 2008 · 1 Comment

We at ITR are firm supporters of free stuff, especially programs. So what better way to help protect your computer than to have it cost you absolutley nothing. In this segment of “How-To Keep Your Windows Computer Running Smoothly” we will tackle adware and malware. As an added benefit, all the software we recommend are available online and are relatively small in size.

ITR normally focuses on weird and interesting news from around the world but that doesn’t mean we can’t take the opportunity to do something different and inform our readers of something they can use. This is one such example. Anyway, a friend recently recommended an adware detection program to someone else that they could purchase at their local Best Buy for only $60. At that point, several alternatives to the friend’s “recommendation” came to mind, alternatives that are at par and cost absolutley nothing, which is great given the state of our economy and people’s desire not to overspend. Today we will discuss 2 software options that not only work great but will ensure your computer continues to run smoothly as long as you remember consistently run the software.

Ad-Aware is a product made by a company known as Lavasoft. This program scans your computer for Trojans, spyware, worms, and other harmful programs. The company’s website boasts the software is the first anti-spyware products offered. We cannot confirm nor deny that claim, nor do we care whether it’s true because this product simply works. The software automatically checks for updates when you run it and asks you whether you would like to install it.

The beauty of the software is its simplicity. All you have to do is run it, click “Scan Now”, and choose the scan mode you would like. If you’re having issues with your computer and think you need a comprehensive scan then you should run the “Perform full system scan” option, otherwise just stick with “Perform smart system scan”. A scan takes a few minutes so it’s a good idea to run it during a period when you don’t really need to use your machine.

At the end of a scan you get a report of what the software found and it gives you the option to remove what it found.

You can download Ad-Aware here.

Spybot Search and Destroy

The second piece of software we recommend is Spybot Search and Destroy. Spybot does the same job as Ad-Aware but looks and feels more basic. The updating process isn’t as simple as Ad-Aware’s but the benefit is that it gives you several options in terms of what you prefer to install on your machine and it has many, many options regarding which language you would like to use with the program. We would go through the whole process of describing how you use this software but the makers of the product were kind enough to detail the entire process on their website here. You can download the software here.

Well that wraps up another part of our ”How-To Keep Your Windows Computer Running Smoothly” series. Stay tuned for part 3 which will tackle virus protection and firewalls.

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