How do you really clean your computer and protect my computer from spys?

I saw that there was spy ware someone can use to monitor your emails, chat, and deleted files. I would like to keep my personal life private without someone ever being able to scan my computer and find private emails, chat or deleted files. If I could find some software to detect if some has installed such software on my computer that would be great, free if possible. I also would like to know the best software to use to clean your computer of all items for safety.

How do you really clean your computer and protect my computer from spys?
You can also take a look at SpyBot. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index...


It can work well as a compliment to Ad-Aware.
Reply:A very good question . This is a very big problem nowadays and will even be a bigger problem in the future . But i can give you some good free software to keep your computer running safely .





1. Anti - Virus . A well known free anti virus is AVG Anti virus





can be found at the following link.





http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-F...





as for a antispyware program - use adware se personal found it this link





http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Pers...





BUT most importantly of all is to keep your computer up to date with the latest security updates provided by microsoft every month. You can download these updates from the following link





http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupd...





I would have to say updating is the most important thing . With an antispy and an antivirus you should be in good hands , but to keep your computer running at its best you have to clean it and the my favorite piece of software is a cleaning utitly called CCLEANER. found at the following link.





http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-21...





With these programs you should have a good running computer.
Reply:I am personally very satisfied with Lavasoft Ad-aware SE. Best of all, it's free. It eliminates all of the nasty stuff you acquire while surfing around the net. Look for it by name using any reputable search engine.
Reply:I run my computer exactly the way you want. The best thing to do to clean it up is to reformat it (serious). Then lock everything down, turn on firewalls, dont install plug-ins for your browser (hey flash is ok). You don't need antivirus and AdAware and those other gay programs. They are like viruses and eat just as much resources as a virus. I dont run any of them and have never had a virus. Always use your computer in a non-administrative user account, switching to admin-enabled when you need to install software. The limitations might be annoying at first but when everyone's computers around you have a virus and they are trying to get their antivirus programs working, you'll be happy you had those limitations.
Reply:Yahoo includes a pop-up blocker and Norton anti-spy. Use them frequently.





Do not open mail from someone you don't know.


If purchasing online, do not enter personal information and credit card information until you see the padlock on the bottom right of the screen, and https (instead of http) in the address box.





From Internet Explorer:


click Tools


cl Internet Options


Delete Cookies


Delete Files (offline)


Clear history


Set days to keep pages in History to 0





cl the Content tab


cl Autocomplete


clear all boxes





Nothing is 100%. Just be careful. Don't say anything you don't want published.
Reply:Here you have some good and free programs:


http://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/downlo...


Get an anti-spyware, an antivirus and a firewall and your computer will be OK.
Reply:Install all the following:





Tune Up Utilities (Normally its a 30 Day Evaluation)


Crap Cleaner (Free)


Registry Smart (Normally a shareware but you need to register)





You may wish to visit "Naughty Sites" for possible crack apps...its up to you....





Ad Aware SE Personal (Free)





Of course do not forget to install also an anti virus software - you may try Kaspersky Personal Pro - it stops virus before it reaches your computer. Version 6.0 would be fine as it consumes little of your resources.