Malicious software (called spyware or malware) can capture everything you send and receive from your web browser including passwords, unprotected e-mails, credit card numbers, account names, etc. Learn how to keep your web browsing secure.
· Do not click on popups
· Use popup blocker software
· Avoid downloading and installing free software
· Keep your system up-to-date
· Windows
· Apple OS X
· Use an antivirus program with anti-spyware features.
· Use an account with limited privileges on your computer.
· Only use an account with administrative privileges for administrative tasks.
· Change your passwords regularly.
One way malicious software will collect your information is to hijack your browser. If you suspect a problem, check your IP address.
· http://www.whatismyip.com
· Make sure the IP address displayed belongs to your ISP.
· From UCF campus network, you should get a 132.170.x.x address.
· From home, look up who owns the displayed IP address.
· http://www.arin.net (enter the IP in the Search Whois box)
· If the owner is not your ISP, you may have a hijacked browser
Download and install a spyware removal program, such as:
· Ad-aware
· Spybot
· MalwareBytes
· Windows Defender
If you have found and removed spyware software on your computer using the tools above, please change the passwords to your Internet accounts.
If you think your computer has been compromised immediately contact your IT staff. If you don't have IT staff, contact the UCFIT Support Center.