Adware & Spyware | Virus Protection | Popup Blockers | Bandwidth Tests
The Internet is a powerful communication, entertainment and information resource for us all. The tools listed below are intended to provide a safer and more pleasant Internet experience. Please note that Wavelength does not support or commercially endorse any of these products, which are primarily shareware/freeware tools available to the public.
Adware and Spyware are "invisible" components that get installed (often without permission) on computers when users download and/or request information from freeware, shareware, interactive content, file sharing sites and other information sources on the Internet. These components can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. Here are some tools that can help you detect and remove these intrusive components:
Understand Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx
Symptoms of Spyware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827315
Lavasoft
Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
Spybot
Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Spyware Blaster from Javacool Software:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Avast Virus Cleaner
Avast offers a free Virus cleaner which effectively updates when downloaded to remove
the most recent viruses.
AVG
Free
An anti-virus solution offering effective
protection against computer viruses; totally free for individual
and private use on a single PC-workstation.
Belshe Software NoSpyMail
"SpyMail" refers to any email message sent to you which attempts to collect information about you, your computer, or your email habits without your permission. Hackers use this information to find out more about your computer and your email/web habits. Armed with the above information, the hacker can now attempt to compromise your system and get more valuable information. Spammers use this information to find out if you received their spam. Once they know you read their spam, they know that your email address is valid and use this information to send you more spam. Other unscrupulous people use this information to confirm that you are where you say you are, or that you read the message yesterday, but didn't reply, etc. In short, SpyMail is something you want to avoid.
File Sharing programs can dramatically effect the performance of your Internet connectivity by adding continuous traffic to your computer that you probably are not even aware of. Please visit our tutorial on how to turn off uploads in common file sharing programs.
Disabling Peer-to-Peer File Sharing
Popup windows are those sometimes annoying mini pages and advertisements that are generated (often without your instigation) while you surf the Internet. Here are some links to free software utilities that help prevent and block popup windows and advertisements:
Google Toolbar:
http://toolbar.google.com/
Panicware
Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition
http://www.panicware.com/product_psfree_download.html
STOPzilla
Popup killer
http://www.stopzilla.com/info/home.asp
At Wavelength we believe that a true broadband Internet solution should provide synchronous speeds (download and upload) for internet connectivity. Many users of traditional broadband providers will find that their service is significantly lower for upload vs. download speeds. Here are some services that will help you determine the speed of your Internet connection:
PC Pitstop Bandwidth Tests
Upload: http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/BandwidthUp.asp
Download: http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/Bandwidth.asp
Visualware MySpeed Internet Speed Test (Upload and Download)
T1Line.com: Specializing in T1 Line information, definitions, providers and T1 pricing.
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