Spyware: Who Is Really Paying the Price? What Can Be Done About Spyware? Mike Houghton
What can be done about Spyware?
Ultimately it's the consumers and the end users who need to avoid spyware by taking the time to read the software privacy policies and content descriptions before downloading programs and executing email attachments.
Fortunately, there are many ways to combat spyware. Locking down the security settings in the browser is a good first step. Cleaning out cookies and Internet temporary files frequently is also helpful. There are many commercially available and freeware programs out there to deal with spyware removal (you can view WinPlanet's complete section of anti-malware tools here).
These programs are installed on the PC and search against a database of known spyware and will give the user the option to remove programs, tracking cookies, temporary files, and registry entries from their PC. Some of the spyware removal software will also block the spyware from being reinstalled on the PC. These programs have frequent malware updates available via the web that keep up to date with the newest spyware threatening PCs. Many of these spyware removal programs also have corporate licenses available, allowing a company to protect themselves enterprise-wide.
