Spyware Prevention Checklist
- Never deliberately download software to your workstation or desktop from the Internet, no matter how helpful or interesting it may appear. Even innocuous toolbars and nifty utilities can be packed with unwanted spyware. Be especially wary of file-sharing programs, which you shouldn't be using in the office anyways.
- Stay away from any questionable sites, including pornography, gambling, hacking or other off-beat sites. But you shouldn't be, in any case, visiting these types of sites at work either. At most companies, you could be terminated for doing so.
- Whenever an unwanted, or unexpected, pop-window appears, shut it down immediately by clicking on the "x" in the upper right hand corner of the window. Never click on any button, even if it says "Cancel" or "Close" on the window itself. These buttons can masquerade as innocent features that inadvertently start an unwanted download of spyware.
- Be suspicious if endless pop-up windows start opening simultaneously, or if the performance of your workstation turns into a crawl. Assume that you've been hit by spyware and seek assistance from the Help Desk.