Anti-adware/spyware: There are many programs that will scan your computer to find and remove spyware. None of them seem to be 100% effective; however, you can run several of these programs at the same time. Most anti-spyware programs need to be run manually, although some can be scheduled to run at set times. Some antispyware programs also monitor for incoming spyware and block it. Programs that protect against spyware and adware are often referred to as antimalware.

Spam Filters: There are a number of programs available that will scan your email and attempt to recognize spam. They work in one of two ways:

1. The program scans your mail before it downloads it to your computer, flags the messages that it thinks are spam, giving you the opportunity to delete them before they ever reach your computer.
2. The program scans the mail as it arrives and marks anything that it thinks is spam; it may even drop it into a special spam folder. Some e-mail programs include automatic spam filtering. Some of the large internet providers are taking on the task of scanning mail for spam. Some of them provide this service to their members for free, others charge extra.

Many internet providers filter incoming mail for spam - some do it for free, others charge a fee. Some email programs include spam filtering.

Internet Security Suites: Many of the market leading security software companies produce all-in-one solutions which include AV, firewall, antimalware and spam filter, often together with a range of other protections (notifications of known malicious websites, known phishing sites, identity theft protection and more).

It’s important to remember that no matter how good a security suite is it cannot be 100% effective - you still need to be careful.

Increasingly, it is sensible to consider a full internet security suite for your main online protection; it is likely to cost in the range £30-£60 per year (and may be cheaper to buy for a longer period).

Windows Updates: The Windows operating system is a hugely complex thing. Many malicious programs, such as viruses, work by exploiting weaknesses that their creators find in Windows. The good people at Microsoft are constantly working to patch these "holes" and to improve their product. Microsoft make the latest improvements available for free download from their website. You should always take advantage of these free updates. You can set your computer to automatically check for, and install, updates.

SOFTWARE THAT PROTECTS YOUR COMPUTER

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