Locking down Internet Explorer

Now that you have removed all of the spyware and adware on your computer, let's turn off certain features of Internet Explorer so that you will be less likely to accidentally install more spyware. To get started, change the ActiveX install settings to prevent any new ActiveX apps to be installed. Follow these steps to change this setting:

1. Open up a copy of Internet Explorer and then click the Tools menu bar item and select Internet Options.
2. Click the Custom Level button on the Security tab.
3. Locate Download Signed ActiveX Control at the top of the list and select Disable and then click OK and click Yes on the confirmation screen.
4. Select OK once more to close Internet Options.

A change in this setting can prevent you from installing new ActiveX controls from all Web sites, good and bad. If you ever run into some problem with a Web site not loading correctly, just re-enable this setting and try the site again.

Immunizing your computer

Spybot Search & Destroy does a lot more than just scanning your computer and removing spyware and adware. It also offers the ability to immunize your computer against some of the most common types of spyware. This feature provides a great added level of protection that can only help in your battles with spyware.To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Start up Spybot by expanding the Spybot Search & Destroy folder and selecting Spybot S&D (easy mode).
2. Once Spybot S&D is loaded, click the Immunize button on the left of the window and then, just click the Immunize button and you are now protected.