Kim and Aggie target spyware

TV cleaning queens Kim and Aggie are encouraging internet users to clean-up their act this week.

The stars of Channel Four's How Clean is Your House? have linked up with ISP AOL to promote its ‘Clean Out Your Computer Week’.

The aim of the campaign is to get internet users tackling "stubborn spyware" as well as "spring cleaning the spam" and "vanishing virulent viruses."

The trigger for the campaign has been driven by the ISP's concern for the growing problems among its customers, following research that found 83 per cent of home Internet users fear their personal details falling into the wrong hands online.

The research also found that over three quarters are worried about the number of junk emails they receive. As a result AOL has come-up with a five point "To Do" list and it is using the TV rubber-gloved mopsters to front the campaign to give it some cleaning credence.

The five points are:

1. Make sure you use spam controls to reduce the number of junk emails you receive
2. Use firewall protection, which acts as a protective barrier between your computer and bad things on the Internet
3. Take advantage of anti-virus software that scans your emails, attachments, downloads and files to help guard against viruses, Trojans and other invaders
4. Use anti-spyware tools to help speed up your computer and protect your privacy
5. Avoid online scams by thinking before you click on any links and never giving out your personal details to unknown sources online

“Having a sanitary home computer is just like having a spotless loo - it keeps the bugs away and means you don’t have anything nasty lurking under the lid," said Aggie MacKenzie. "If you don’t give your computer the same clean-up you give your home, you’ll be leaving your PC, personal details and even your money vulnerable.”

Kim Woodburn added: “Aggie and I want to educate, inform and motivate people into keeping their computers clean. They can reduce pesky spam emails, prevent persistent pop-ups and help to protect themselves against online scams by following our advice.” Well, AOL's advice really.