Staying Safe Online

There are a few things you can do to avoid getting spyware on your computer.

• Stay away from questionable sites such as adult sites, hacking sites and sites that promote free commercial software that you would normally have to pay for or music and anything else that sounds illegal.
• If while online you get any popups telling you that you are infected with a virus or spyware etc and to click here to fix it, close the window.
• Don’t click yes or OK to any popups or install anything while online unless you are certain you know what it is and that it is safe.
• Read all license agreements carefully when installing any free software downloaded from the internet.
Additional Tips Below to Help You Stay Safe Online

1. Install all Windows updates. Hackers and other unscrupulous individuals are constantly finding ways to exploit security flaws in Windows. Microsoft closes these holes in its operating systems by frequently releasing patches and prompting users to install them. Ignoring these messages can leave a machine vulnerable to malicious invaders.

2. Don't open attachments or click links in emails from strangers. The adage about taking candy from strangers also applies to opening attachments from those you don't know. Many types of viruses spread via email attachments, and the same is true with spyware. Still, it's important to remind anyone who uses your PC not to open attachments from strangers or those that end in .EXE, .PIF, or .COM, regardless of who sent it.

3. Only download software from a trusted source. The allure of free software can be quite seductive, but you might end up paying in other ways. Many developers, such as those who produce file-sharing programs, make their money by bundling adware or spyware with free products. Warn users to be particularly wary of "fun" freebies such as screensavers, emoticons, and games. Before downloading anything from the Internet, it's crucial to scrutinize the Web site's privacy policy (usually located near the bottom of the page), keeping an eye out for questionable or suspicious words and phrases -- such as "banner ads" and "third-party software" -- that might indicate the presence of adware or spyware.

If you are affected by any problem and now you are worried about how to clean up my pc, then I would recommend you do this by installing pc cleaning software.