| ng that many average Windows users don't | | | | manager while your browser and email applications |
| realize is that there computer could be part of a | | | | are closed. If you notice that your network is |
| botnet. What this means is that their computer | | | | sending out and receiving information, you very |
| has a program on it that is harvesting data off | | | | well may have a botnet on your computer. |
| their machine and sending it to a location where all | | | | There are some steps that can be taken and |
| this data is stored. Many people write these | | | | should be taken immediately. |
| programs which are much like viruses and | | | | Update your virus and spyware software. |
| spyware to get your personal information off | | | | Turn off your internet connection just in case so |
| your machine like passwords and logins to steal | | | | more data is not released. |
| your accounts and even worse your identity. | | | | Run a full system scan in safe mode with your |
| There are some easy steps to take to know if | | | | scanners to remove anything that may be there. |
| your computer is part of a botnet. | | | | Once again turn on your connection and see if the |
| If you run regular virus and spyware scans, this | | | | network tab is still sending data. |
| should take care of much of the problem but | | | | More extreme options might be to reinstall the |
| some botnets are creative enough that they can | | | | operating system which will erase everything on |
| avoid detection. You can detect them yourself by | | | | the computer getting rid of the botnet. Another |
| hitting Control + Alt + Delete and bring up the | | | | option is to switch to Linux or Mac where botnet |
| task manager. Hit the network tab on the task | | | | problems don't exist quite as much. |