Computer Security & Viruses/Antivirus, Ad aware, spyware

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Expert: - 12/8/2004


Question
Dear Carolyn,
What is the different between spyware and ad aware ? What is the best antivirus so far >? iam using avast! now, is it just? I also using spyware blaster and ad-aware.


Answer
Adware feeds unwanted advertising to your web browser and in some cases resets your home page and/or your search engine. Spyware snoops on you, usually to gatehr data about your online buying habist, but in some cases to steal from you credit card, bank account or Paypal. You are using some excellent programs to control adware and spyware.

I can't say which is the "best" antivirus program. However, if you use a free antivirus program, you usually won't get the quality of tech support you get with paid versions.

Computer Security & Viruses

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Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

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