I have noticed recently a rash in complaints about strange things happening with people’s computer (lots of absurd pop-ups, switching of the default search engine, massive amounts of porn, that they didn’t put there, showing up in their temp files and browser history).
If something like this (or other weird things) apply to you, you have SPYWARE on your computer.
So, how to get rid of it?
Step 1) Get Spybot. A nifty little program that will get rid of spyware on your PC, and protect you from further infection. Iowa State University has some great directions on how to install and run spybot here.
Step 2). PEOPLE! STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER!!! And start using Mozilla (I recommend Mozilla Firefox). Spyware takes advantage of holes in Internet Explorer to get on to your system. (One of the multitudinous reasons to not use it).
This is becoming less an less of an optional thing to do, and more and more of a necessary thing… It doesn’t take very long. If you are worried about bookmarks, FIREFOX AUTOMATICALLY IMPORTS THEM WHEN YOU INSTALL IT! Also, here is a link to Seven quick steps to import IE bookmarks.
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