by: Shanna Riley
You've heard all kinds of terrible things about it, but just what IS it - and how does it get on your computer in the first place?
Spyware is a real pain in the arse, to put it bluntly. It bogs down your computer's memory, causes you to be spammed to death with pop-up ads, and tracks everywhere you go while you surf the web! Worst of all, 99% of all spyware downloads itself to your computer without your knowledge - or your consent.
Can they do that? Yes, unfortunately, they can - but you don't have to sit back while your computer is destroyed with malicious software. Spyware scanners and removal programs are a must on any computer that gets online.
But, first, let's talk a little more about spyware - and what it truly is.
Broadbandinfo.com makes things a little clearer:
Spyware?gathers information about Internet users without their knowledge or consent and delivers that information to advertisers or others who have access to the information.
Users can get spyware in their systems by downloading certain programs or in the form of a virus.
Sort of scary, isn't it? There are two main ways to "get" spyware:
It downloads itself into your computer, without your knowledge or consent, when you visit a certain website or click on a certain pop-up ad.
It downloads itself to your computer along with something you chose to download, usually under the guise of "free extras" - you may or may not (usually not) be notified that the extra content is included with the download.
Short of never downloading anything, or ceasing to ever surf online again, the only sure way to keep your computer clean of spyware is to periodically "clean" it up with a good spyware removal program. The only true, and reliable, preventative measures that can be taken are to never click on pop-up ads and to be careful of where you surf - regardless, though, you are always going to end up with some spyware.
One of the things about spyware that people don't realize is that most of it is programs. That's right, it's a program running in the background of your machine - eating up your resources. You can imagine what would happen if you had hundreds (and without a removal program, you will) - eventually your computer would be inoperable - slow as a snail, for want of a better term.
Since spyware is inevitable - as much so as taxes and death these days - you'd best go ahead and download a few reputable spyware removal programs on your pc.
About The Author
Shanna Riley - Professional I.T. tech & geeky-girl gamer who feels her duty to warn the average user about the dangers of the Internet. Feel free to use, please link back to homecomputersafety.com.
|
Virus & Spyware - Fix's
Virus & Spyware - Fix's
by: Daniel J Nethersole
We all get the odd virus now and then, but sometimes that one virus could cause so many problems. In this article I shall be going though just some of the problems that these virus software programs can do, and how to fix them.
One of the worst type of virus is one that effects the Boot Config, if this happens you will notice an error such as "Invalid boot sector" or "unaccessable boot device", there are many other errors for the same problem, if you don't get even a windows loading screen then your issue may be the Boot Config, sounds like a hard problem to fix don't it, infact its pretty easy. For this we shall need a Windows XP install CD, if your computer never come with one then please go down to where you paid for your PC and ask for one, insert the CD and then turn on your PC, you will get a text messege saying "To boot from CD press any key", so press anykey!, now wait for a few mintues untill...
Virus & Spyware - Fix's
Spyware > Virus & Spyware - Fix's
Spyware, Adware And Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?
Spyware, Adware And Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?
by: Steven Adam
The world we live in today is mostly governed by high-speed in almost every aspect. From the cars we drive to the internet that we use. It's all about speed, fast and now. Technology has taken steps in keeping up with the phase of modern human life. Because of the steady climb of the internet and information technology towards better and more convenient ways of mass transferring of data, photos, audio and video files and almost transferable and moveable piece of information over a network, people have also found numerous ways of keeping up with the drastically changing network environment.
But with all the technology present and ready for utilization anytime, anywhere, the number of malicious softwares like spyware, that are not necessarily viruses but poses the same level of threat if left to be challenged and unchecked, have also grown to triple their previous size...
Spyware, Adware And Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?
Spyware > Spyware, Adware And Other Malicious Softwares: What Are They?
Spyware Evolves!
Spyware Evolves!
by: Joe Borges
The ability to detect spyware is becoming more and more important in today's world. Ditto for the use of spyware removal tools.
Did you know that recently a Trojan Horse program was developed and used for industrial espionage?
The Trojan Horse was used in the illegal hacking into scores of computers in Israel, including computers belonging to large and leading companies. The companies involved did not know how important it was to have a spyware removal tool or tools to detect spyware. The perpetrators developed spyware programs that extracted computer files and entire directories from infected computers. This material was then sent to servers abroad. The spyware was sold to private investigators, which offered their industrial espionage services to various companies.
In this case, the perpertrators (a husband and wife team!) were eventually caught and deported. But by that time, the damage had already...
Spyware Evolves!
Spyware > Spyware Evolves!
Identifying and Removing Spyware Bots on your Hardrive
Identifying and Removing Spyware Bots on your Hardrive
by: Mitch Johnson
Simply put, spyware is programs installed in computers without the user?s knowledge to track internet usage and submit advertisements based on the information gathered.
Spyware is commonly picked up by downloading and using one of the many freeware or shareware programs.
Some forms of spyware get in just by visiting a web site, although this form is usually a small, tracker cookie that can easily be removed by cleaning out all cookies.
To counter the threats of spyware users should get a spyware removal program such as SpyCop.
SpyCop works by scanning your computer system, searching for spyware and adware from the known definitions of the threats.
Once a list of detected infected files is compiled you can select to fix or remove the spyware.
SpyCop also give the option of creating back ups of the deleted files in...
Identifying and Removing Spyware Bots on your Hardrive
Spyware > Identifying and Removing Spyware Bots on your Hardrive
Removing Some Spyware Is Like Treating Cancer
Removing Some Spyware Is Like Treating Cancer
by: Libby Hayen
Spyware - Removing Cancer From Your System
Do you know the difference between spyware prevention and spyware removal? These functions are not the same. Not all spyware is the same. Most work like a malignant cancer, spreading into everything, or a benign tumor, sticking around in one place. The main operations of spyware are to steal, search, destroy, report, expose, change or track. Many people find the main mission of spyware is to seek out trouble and to annoy. Some spyware happily stay in one spot doing its stuff while other spyware sneak into your computer and let you know they're around. Many anti-spyware programs are available for free upon your asking and are quite steady at stopping these cancerous cells. Still, to get the best protection, your computer should use multiple anti-spyware programs.
"Knock, knock," the thoughtful spyware announces. "Who's there?" your...
Removing Some Spyware Is Like Treating Cancer
Spyware > Removing Some Spyware Is Like Treating Cancer
Don't Let Spyware Sneak Up On You
Don't Let Spyware Sneak Up On You
by: Howard Goff
You decide to make an online purchase from a reputable Internet site, so you add the items to your virtual shopping cart and head to the checkout.
You enter your billing address, your credit card number, your card's expiration date, even your card's 3-digit authorization number.
Without even knowing it, you could have provided an identity thief all of the information he or she needs to rack up charges on your account if your computer is infested with a type of spyware known as keyloggers.
Keylogger software keeps track of every letter, number, or symbol you type.
Then, the information is transferred from your computer to a third-party.
While keyloggers are bad enough, they are only one of over a dozen types of spyware being used by hackers and identity thieves today.
What's worse is that your computer could be infected at this moment, and you may not...
Spyware > Don't Let Spyware Sneak Up On You
From Spyware With Love!
From Spyware With Love!
by: Doug Woodall
It's late. You've been scouring the web for that perfect present for your Aunt Bess in Idaho and finally you find it at presents4aunties.com. The site looks a lil' rough on the edges, weird colors and such, but they have that gift you know will make Aunt Bess add you to her will. You purchase the gift, log off and head to bed, tired but happy.
The next day, coffee in hand, you turn on your puter. That's strange, you think, its awfully slow this morning. After waiting longer then it takes to make a pot of coffee it's finally
booted up and ready to go. You open your browser to check the Cow Tipping Blog for the latest posts.
Whats this you say, my homepage is now longer the Blog , but a site trying to sell me a DVD of the Smurfs vs the Terminator!
Oh well you say, not quite fully awake. You type in the URL for your Blog and wait....
From Spyware With Love!
Spyware > From Spyware With Love!
How To Avoid Plasma TV Burn-In
How To Avoid Plasma TV Burn-In
by: Jakob Culver
If you're familiar with the technology behind plasma televisions, you know that the gas contained in each individual pixel receives a charge from a set of electrodes and produces ultraviolet light photons. These light particles hit a phosphor coating on the pixel's walls. If the same picture remains on the screen long enough the phosphors will age prematurely and they will produce a less intense light and color...
Spyware What IS Spyware? How To Avoid Plasma TV Burn-In televisions
Spyware > How To Avoid Plasma TV Burn-In
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.6 of 12 - Turkey and Mango Curry
Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.6 of 12 - Turkey and Mango Curry
by: Paul Curran
Christmas recipe serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 640
Not suitable for freezing.
Christmas recipe ingredients
Onion, 175 g (6 oz)
Green pepper, 125 g (4 oz)
Garlic clove, 1
Turkey, cooked 225 g (8 oz)
Mango, 1 fresh or mango pieces 400 g (14 oz)
...
oil prices Spyware What IS Spyware?
Spyware > Christmas Recipes: Main Dishes. No.6 of 12 - Turkey and Mango Curry
Spyware
This page loaded in 0.49164 seconds.