Everything you probably didn't want to know about Spyware but "NEED TO KNOW"!

Guide to Spyware/Adware for 281.COM customers.

1. How do I know I have Spyware/Adware?

You likely have Spyware/Adware if any of the following are true:

• popup ads at sites that don't normally have popups
• logged into Internet, nothing open, and Internet status shows you sending or receiving more than 1000 bytes a second.  NOTE:  Some spyware waits a while before it starts transmitting.
• Web sites (ebay most common) don't open or go somewhere else.  This is called a "browser hijack".

2. If I suspect I have Spyware/Adware, what do I do?

• Download Adaware from Inside Highland Lakes.  Always perform an Update first to get the latest Spyware/Adware definitions.  Then perform a "Smart System Scan".  Adaware gets rid of the most common Spyware/Adware out there.
• Download Spybot - Search and Destroy from your favorite Shareware/Freeware web site such as Note:  This program is more complicated than Adaware.  281.COM can provide limited assistance over the phone.  281.COM customer Internet usage questions take priority.

3. What if I still suspect I have Spyware/Adware on my computer?

• Contact your 281.COM Support team!  You will likely need a professional (ie "Windows Guru") to clean your computer.  281 Communications has more advanced removal tools available in our repair department.

4. Why do I have Spyware/Adware?  How do I prevent it?

• The most common way to get this is to install it.  That means you downloaded something for "Free", probably from a popup ad, that installed the Spyware/Adware in the background.  NOTE:  Removing the Spyware/Adware will usually render the original program you installed unusable.
• Prevention is the best cure!  Read about what you are getting before installing.  Search Google (available at Inside Highland Lakes) for the name of the program you want and read about it and what it does before installing.
• If young people or inexperienced users share this computer, you may want to purchase the pay version of either Adaware or Spybot - Search and Destroy for real-time protection.

By Tim Moczygemba, Moxie Services Inc.
Copyright © 2004  281 Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 21, 2004 .