Step 3-D: How to Install Anti-Malware Software In Your New Computer.

What is Malware?

Malware is a short term for "malicious software". The primary classes of malware are viruses, spyware and adware. We covered viruses on the previous page of this site. Spyware (spying software) is a type of computer program designed to gather data about your websurfing and computer usage. This information is then transmitted to the interested party that created the program. Adware (advertising software) is designed to present you with advertisements such as pop-up windows while you surf the web. Often spyware and adware work together. The ads will be personalized or targeted based on the data gathered about you by the spyware.
In my experience, malware is much more common and troublesome than computer viruses. Malware can compromise your private information like passwords, credit card numbers and financial records. It can also slow down your by computer by running unwanted programs that utilize your system resources. It is important to protect your computer from these threats. Fortunately that is easy to do without spending any money.

Anti-Malware Software

Just as we saw with anti-virus software, there are programs available that will scan your computer to detect spyware and adware. These programs will also be able to remove the undesirable software from your computer. There are several expensive anti-malware software packages on the market, but I recommend a few because they work just as well and don't cost anything.

Recommended Anti-Malware Programs

I will recommend to you the three programs I use to protect my computers from spyware and adware. Used in conjunction, these programs should keep your computer running smoothly. Just be sure to run each of them about once every couple weeks. Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE Personal are programs that scan your system and remove malware. Spyware Blaster is a program designed to prevent malware from being installed on your computer.

Download and Install Spybot Search & Destroy

1. Open an Internet Browser and go to http://www.download.com/
2. In the left column click "Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware"
3. Under the "Most Popular" heading click on "More Popular Software"
4. Click on "Spybot Search & Destroy"
5. Click on "Download Now"
6. Click on Save File
7. When the download is finished open the file and follow the directions

Download and Install Ad-Aware 2007

1. Open an Internet Browser and go to http://www.download.com/
2. In the left column click "Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware"
3. Under the "Most Popular" heading click on "More Popular Software"
4. Click on "Ad-Aware 2007"
5. Click on "Download Now"
6. Click on Save File
7. When the download is finished open the file and follow the directions

Download and Install Spyware Blaster

1. Open an Internet Browser and go to http://www.download.com/
2. In the left column click "Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware"
3. 
   
4. Under the "Most Popular" heading click on "More Popular Software"
5. Click on "Spyware Blaster"
6. Click on "Download Now"
7. Click on Save File
8. When the download is finished open the file and follow the directions

Once you have these programs installed go ahead and run them. Remember to keep them updated and run them every couple of weeks to make sure you don't get infested with malware.