I recently spoke to a friend of mine who said that she was tired of Spyware, Ads, what have you, attacking her desktops, and having to format the pc over and over every two months.
I explained to her how I stopped it on my pc. A long time ago, when the dark ages ruled, ok it was 2003, I let Spyware win. That’s right, I let it take over my pc and fill my screen with nothing but popups, banners, ads. Then I wiped all of them out without losing any sensitive data. No it wasn’t magic(I know cause I tried that too). I was on a different partition.
Most of you know that you can partition your hard drive for different os systems, different uses, and misc. Those who do not need to get their hands on the neighborhood techie, or just google “how to partition your computer”. So I created a partition where I install any and all questionable applications, and other misc applications you know you shouldn’t be installing anyways.
There is no way to 100% verify if a software application/webpage/webpage app will install spyware on your pc, and close to impossible to tell someone to check every single questionable application for spyware/malware/etx. With a different partition you can install all the applications you want, even the ones with spyware, to get your work done or surf, or whatever. You can also have more then two partitions if you need it, games, media, backup, spyware etx.
And if you start seeing a lot of ads on that partition then just wipe or reinstall your OS on that spyware partition.
Once partitioned just restart your pc and select the partition you want. It really is as simple as that. You have one partition where you can install all the applications you want, and the other where you log in, check email, buy stuff, music, online without worrying about spyware taking up your screen. But there are a few things you need to watch out for.
1) On your spyware partition(Partition B), never log in to your main/personal/private email account, create a separate account for email, but do not log in to an account that includes your private info, or any account that requires you to type your password.
2) Never buy anything on your Partition B, this is kind of like the first part, except in this case it also includes private information, like credit cards, ss#, and other information that you dont want a spyware knowing(unless you really like that one particular spyware that’s been eyeing you).
3) Always remember that when you are on this partition that you should treat it as if someone is spying on you. Spyware — Spying on you, get it(nevermind).
4) If you can try to keep parition B free from viruses, spyware, make sure you have a firewall, and if none of that works you can always format it because your main / sensitive data is not located on this partition.
5) Remember this only works if you install suspicious applications, webpage components, misc on the spyware partition. You can share data between the two partitions, but try to scan it for viruses with an up-to-date virus scanner before you do.
6) If you really really want to stop spyware, buy another pc. Use one pc for installing application that you trust, and the second pc for when you’re not sure.
This can also work by keeping your email free of viruses, spam, and other annoying emails. Create an email account for personal/family/ecommerce sites, and another email account for sites that you dont trust.
Does it work? The partition I’m on right now hasn’t seen a SINGLE ad/popup in almost 2 Years.
Enjoy.
