As we use our computers online more and more, the prevalence of adware, spyware, and malware is causing severe headaches to most computer users. Once, only those annoying pop-ups would occasionally creep into our machines, now they and their nasty brothers seem to permeate through the entire Internet. It seems no area is truly safe anymore.

Our CrystalVision Tech Support Staff has tested and collected the top FREE tools available to help protect us from such unwanted intrusions. Below are their suggestions for your continued protection. We recommend you install them all, and include them in your regular system operation and maintenance schedule.

• Use Ad-Aware to search for and remove currently installed adware.
• Use Spybot Search & Destroy to find and remove spyware and other malware installations.
• Use SpywareBlaster to block unwanted spyware from being accepted through your web browser.
• Use Google Toolbar to stop pop-ups and keep your system searches adware free.

~ CrystalVision Support Team

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition

Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. With the release of Ad-Aware SE Personal edition, Lavasoft takes the fight against Spyware to the next level.

Spybot - Search & Destroy

Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer with other users. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

SpywareBlaster

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware--it prevents it from ever being installed. SpywareBlaster blocks the installation of spyware ActiveX controls (such as Lop.com and Xupiter) in its database, and can even prevent them from running if they are installed. The built-in Check for Updates feature allows quick and easy database updates, which are released frequently. Information on all spyware covered in the database is also provided. SpywareBlaster does not need to be running in the background--simply select the items you wish to be protected against (or select all items) and press the Protect button to enable protection. SpywareBlaster can also block spyware and tracking cookies. It includes a System Snapshot feature, which lets you take a snapshot of your computer in its clean state and later revert, undoing many changes made by spyware and browser hijackers.

Google Toolbar

Take the power of Google with you anywhere on the web. The Google Toolbar enables you to search the web from any site, block unwanted pop-up ads, fill in forms with just one click, search within the pages of any site and highlight the words you searched for on a page. The Google Toolbar is free and installs in just seconds. Get one click closer to the information you want to find.