Those cute puppies can give your computer spyware, adware

[question everything]

The Daily Breeze

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Those cute puppies can give your computer spyware, adware
Computer Central: When you find something on the Web that is offered as free (and promoted via pop-ups or advertising) there is hidden stuff in it, I can almost guarantee you.
By James Derk

(snip).

Here is the basic rule unless you know a lot about computers. Ready?

There is nothing free in the computer software world any more.

You may think it's free, but when you install it, what comes along with it is the price of the freight. And many applications (especially those I would consider on the cheesy side like puppy dog screen savers) are chock-full of spyware and advertising programs.

And the more of these you install, the more infected your PC gets. And no, they don't have to ask your permission or, if they do, they bury it so far into the legal yadda yadda on the acceptance screen that people ignore it and move on.

When you find something on the Web that is offered as free (and promoted via pop-ups or advertising) there is hidden stuff in it, I can almost guarantee you.

So what can you do to fight it?

- Buy an Apple.

- Quit installing stuff you find on the Internet that looks "cute."

- Install a pop-up blocker like that in the Google toolbar or Windows XP Service Pack 2 (or both).

- Quit clicking on pop-ups. Never click the yes or no box or any content inside the box. Always close them with the X in the corner. If you can't see the X, close it with a Control W. If that doesn't work, hit the three-fingered salute (Control, Alt, Delete) and hit Task Manager and select the box and hit End Task.

(snip)

James Derk is co-owner of CyberDads, a computer repair company, and a computer columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. His e-mail address is [e-mail].


Find this article at:
http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/articles/1273567.html

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. I can't believe they missed the hippopotamus in the living room

LINUX, dammit!

[question everything]

3. Isn't it the same as "buying apple?" n/t

[CBGLuthier]

2. How does buying a piece of fruit help

I mean I know we all should eat more fiber and Apples are tasty and good for you but how does that help with computers?


:-)