Alec Couros has recently advocated getting a Mac as a means of protection against spyware. True enough, but there are other methods:
- If you are using Windows, get Firefox! Firefox is a great browser, and a project of the Mozilla foundation. Mozilla is the open source project that started when Netscape released the program code to their browser, and current (and presumably future) versions of Netscape Navigator are based on the Mozilla browser. Using Firefox is like using next year’s version of Navigator. It is not susceptable to some of the spyware and other malicious programs that use Internet Explorer to gain access to your computer.
- Do not use Outlook or Outlook Express! Viruses that are spread through e-mail operate by making use of security holes (features in Redmond-speak) in Outlook and Outlook Express. You can use a web-based e-mail (try to snag a gmail account if you can manage it, or wait until it is open to everyone), or use Mozilla Thunderbird. This will even save you money since you won’t need any virus protection software if you don’t use Outlook.
- Better yet, use Linux! There are many great varieties out there, and they are free to download (legally). Mandrake and Fedora are two of the more popular distributions, but if you install them you will need to create a new partition on your hard drive (or get a new hard drive), or delete your current file system. An easier solution if you want to try before you install is Knoppix. Knoppix is a version of Linux that can be copied onto a CD-ROM, and then if you boot your computer from the CD-ROM you get a full featured version of Linux without having to install anything on your hard drive! Other portable media versions of Linux are also available so that you can use Linux without touching what is on your hard drive (nice if you share your computer with others, especially if the others own the computer!)
As a longtime Mac user, I would probably go for the option of using a Mac if I could (especially one of those nice new iMacs!). Other consideration, however, mean that my current machine is running WindowsXP. Does this mean I have no defense against spyware? Definitely not, and I don’t even need to spend money on an anti-spyware application that provides a false sense of security and becomes obsolete, and therefore useless, about 15 minutes after I get it installed. What I needed to do, and what you should also do if you are using Windows, is stop using insecure software. I know some would argue that WindowsXP would be included in that category, but I’m trying to make the best of the situation.