Registry Cleaners etc.
Registry cleaners, PC utilities, and more!
Clean up after yourself! (or pay the price)
In: tips and tricks
Your computer knows more about you than you think.
While you’ve been going about your business, it’s been stocking away history files of the websites you visit, the information you enter into forms, the programs you run, the videos you watch, and even the images you see. No, your computer isn’t trying to spy on you – but somebody else could.
Your PC stores this information as a convenience. In case you forgot the name of the site you visited last week, you can quickly look it up in your browser history. Or, if you get tired of entering your name in online forms, your browser will remember it for you. These just save you a few moments, so you can get on with what you are doing.
But there are risks involved.
Spyware, a form of malicious software, is the snoop of the online world. This digital pest is designed to hide on your computer and steal whatever information it can find. This information is then sent back to its creator. The scammer then uses this information for profit – by selling your personal details to the highest bidder, or, if they get lucky, ripping you off directly by using credit card or banking details.
To avoid this nightmare scenario, there are a few key steps you can take:
- save as little information online as possible. Most browsers can be configured to automatically erase your history when you close them, and to not record entered form data. This means that when you type in your credit card to buy something online, it won’t be recorded.
- keep your PC clean. Get a good spyware cleaner, and use it regularly. If possible, find a program that bundles a spyware cleaner with other tools to make it easier.
- use a special program to erase history files. Advanced utility programs exist that will find all your history files, cache files, and all of your digital footprints – and promptly erase them. This means that if spyware goes digging through your computer, they won’t find anything vital.
PC Health Advisor will take care of steps 2 and 3 for you. These tips should steer you in the right direction. Just remember, no matter how much you know about your computer – it probably knows more about you!
