Preventing spyware downloads

[Sandy]

I have always been conscientious about updating my virus
protection and not downloading or opening unknown files.
This morning when I opened Internet Explorer I had
numerous pop-up ads appear and found that I had been
infected with spyware. I had to uninstall 3 different
spyware programs that somehow got onto my computer
yesterday.
How is this possible that they got installed without my
permission and how do I prevent my computer from
downloading programs without my consent while online?

 

[Lem Lo]

If your computer is on a network, it can be infected by another computer

 

[Steven Umbach]

Hi Sandy.

See the link below and use it's recommended security settings for Internet
Explorer which will go a long way in reducing your problem at the expense of
some inconvenience where you will be prompted for action at times. If you add
websites that you trust 100 percent to your trusted Web Content Zone you can
eliminate that from happening when browsing them.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

I also suggest you download and use a program like Spy Sweeper that has a
"shields" mode you can configure to monitor and stop a lot of malware from ever
being installed in addition to being a detection and removal program. --- Steve

http://www.webroot.com/

In addition follow the basic security tips from Microsoft in the link below on
using a firewall, antivirus software that is kept current and scans ALL your
emails and keeping current with critical updates at Windows Update. --- Steve

https://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx