Basic Spyware Tips
Nowadays, it’s a sad but true fact that spyware and adware programs are a far greater threat to your internet security than the dreaded computer viruses. Indeed, spyware, adware and other so-called malware (such as key loggers and trojan horses) actually constitute the biggest single online threat to your privacy and the security of your data.
It’s also a major reason for system slowdowns on computers, as these types of programs generally use up precious system resources including RAM (memory) and hard drive space.
So, let’s look at some basic facts about spyware and adware, where these programs come from, what they are, and what you can do about protecting yourself.
Spyware comes in various guises and forms, but basically, it is a program or piece of information that is secretly placed on your computer, that sends data about you or your computer habits to someone else on the Internet, without your knowledge. This can be a company that is collecting data, or a thief seeking to steal access to your computer or the information held in your database (passwords, credit card details and so on).
Spyware can also be a program that places unwanted ads on your computer, often in the form of a malicious cookie. A cookie is a little piece of information placed in your web browser to track your web habits, which, in its more generally benign form, is useful as, for example, a web site can see you have visited it before and let you on without a registration process. Again, in its more benign guise, a cookie can help you by keeping track of your progress through a web store. They are also used to customize website ads to your likes and dislikes.
But, obviously, when they are used for spyware or adware purposes, a cookie is not a welcome guest on your PC!
Spyware programs can get into your computer in several different ways. Sometimes they arrive as an automatic download from a website you are surfing. Porn and online gambling sites are notorious for this, for example.
Sometimes, if you download a free or illegal piece of software, they are embedded in the installation process, or spyware can get on your computer via an email attachment that you shouldn’t have opened. (Tip here - if an e-mail comes from an unrecognized source with an attachment, DO NOT open it - it’s almost guaranteed to be some sort of program that you definitely don’t want!)
Spyware and adware are bad news for several reasons:
They hog precious system resources like memory and hard disk space. If you computer runs much slower than it did previously, then it probably is infected with spyware. If you have never done a spyware scan, then it’s almost guaranteed that there is spyware on your system slowing things down.
They can seriously compromise your privacy and security, providing outsiders with information about your computer habits. For example, by installing a keylogger, spyware can capture your keystrokes and send it to a third party. This can potentially expose your user IDs and passwords to thieves.
Other program such as trojans which allows someone to log into your computer remotely and use it for their own purposes like sending spam or launching malicious attacks on other computers on the Internet, making it look like you are at fault.
So, it’s bad! Let’s look at how to get rd of it.
There are lots of both paid and free anti-spyware programs out there, and, like all things in life, some are better than others. The question often asked is, which is better, a free program or a paid one.
The simple answer is that the best approach is a combination of the two, and, unlike anti-virus programs, you can run more than one anti-spyware program on your system without any problems.
First thing to do is to install the totally free Spybot Search and Destroy program, which will eliminate 70-85 per cent of all known spyware.
The, invest a little money in a good paid program like Spyware Doctor, NoAdware or Spyware Nuker to complete the job for you. Yes, I know that it means spending some money, but if it can prevent someone stealing your credit card details, for example, then it’s a sure fire thing that its going to be money well spent.
Another advantage of the paid programs is that they generally have a more effective “pro-active” nature to them than the free programs do. In other words, they are usually far better at stopping spyware and adware actually getting into your PC in the first place, and, clearly, preventing the problem is far easier and less time consuming than having to deal with it once your PC becomes infected.
Steve Cowan is an enterpeneur,businessman & writer.Steve is also an international racing driver & full time father.Find more,visit his site at http://webbizz99.com/spyware & adware
Tags: adware remover spyware, adware spyware, anti spyware, free spyware, removal spyware, spywareSpyware Protection - The Only Way To Safeguard Your Personal Information Online
The Problem:
Are you bombarded with popup ads? Seeing new toolbars in
your browser? Does your home page change to
unwanted/unknown destinations? Bombarded with irritating
spam? Perhaps strange software loads when you first start your
computer, or your favorites file may have new entries that you
don’t recognize and don’t want. If this is happening to you, your
PC (Personal Computer) is most likely infected with adware
spyware, spybot spyware, trojan viruses or other harmful
internet parasites.
What Is Happening?:
Your privacy is being seriously invaded. These programs have
the ability to track your Internet usage habits and even steal
such personal information as bank account numbers and
passwords. If you are like me, this is scary, isn’t it? But there’s
more…spyware even has the power to install even more
parasites on your computer without your knowledge and
without your consent. Everything you do and everything you
type can be recorded without your knowledge and without your
consent. Using spyware, companies can find out what your
interests are and even track your purchasing habits. Hackers
can and sometimes will access your PC and do anything they
wish. Unscrupulous individuals can even steal your identity
(you’ve heard of identity theft, haven’t you?) and you would
never be the wiser, at least until it is too late (this would be
when the bill collectors, or even the police, start calling you!).
To Determine If You Are At Risk, Ask Yourself These 3 Questions:
Have I downloaded files, documents or free mp3 music online?
Has my computer suddenly started getting annoying ads
popping up on the screen?
Have I suddenly noticed that my computer is running extremely
slow?
What Is The Solution?
There is only one solution to this problem and that is to protect
yourself and your privacy with a Spyware protection solution.
Spyware protection software helps you to completely clean your
computer of invasive threats. As a result, your computer will be
clean and its performance will be better. Simply put, it will run a
lot faster. Additionally, you will have protected your privacy -
personal information, financial data, and your financial security
will be protected. In the information age, where having just one
piece of your personal information can ruin your life, protecting
your personal privacy while online is of the utmost importance.
Joe Borges makes it easy for you to protect your sensitive information while on the Internet. To get free tips, tools and other essential information, visit our Anti Spyware Software website.
Joe Borges is an Internet Marketer and Online Business Owner with experience in web development and implementation. He is also a professional SEO Consultant, helping internet businesses increase their web presence, website traffic and Search Engine Ranking. Get essential tips, tools and strategies that you can use right now to protect your most sensitive information by visiting: http://www.alertcomputer.com
Tags: adware spyware, anti spyware software, spam, spybot spywa, spyware, spyware protection, trojan virus10 Tell Tale Signs of Spyware and Adware Infection
Though there are no warning signs to indicate that spyware or adware is being installed on your system, there are several tell tale signs to alert you of their presence, once they install. I have compiled here for your convinence 10 tell tale signs that can warn you of the presence of adware or spyware on your computer. Here they are.
1. Browser change:
Frequent, unauthorized changes in your browser landing page or homepage
should be a warning sign that something is going on with your computer. Your
home page is the first page that you come to when you log on to your internet
account.Very often, this page is the home page of your Internet Service provider
(ISP), except if you changed it. If you find your home page changing frequently to
pages that you do not know, there is a good chance that your system is infected
by spyware or adware.
2. Busy system or modem light:
A lighted system or modem indicator is a sign of on going activity. If you are not
online using your computer, the modem indicator should not come alive. A flickering
modem light when no one is online is a good indication that something is going on
with your computer.
3. Influx of unwanted emails:
Everyone gets a certain amount of junk mail everyday. However, a sudden spike in
the number of unwanted email to your computer should be a cause for investigation.
There might be sypware working behind closed doors in your computer.
4. System slow down:
Have you noticed how your speed demon suddenly slowed down to a crawl like an old
witch? If it is taking more time to launch your applications and even longer to load web
pages, if your Windows xp or 2000 Task manager on launch indicates almost all
available resource in use, you might be dealing with a case of spyware activity.
5. Unwanted redirects:
Spyware and adware have the ability to redirect your search to web sites or pages of the
choosing of the program owners. If you end up at sites and webpages that you did not
search for, there is a good chance that you are being redirected by the unseen hands of
spyware and adware owners.
6. Intrussive banners:
Some spyware open up your browser for an avalanche of banner displays. Very often,
these banners are hard to close. A lot of times, they are replaced as quickly as you
close them. Sometimes the banners are so plenty, they overwhelm your system resources.
7. Unwanted pop-ups:
Pop-ups when properly used, are a good resource to have on the web. They are used by
responsible marketers to direct you to additional resources. However, pop-ups can be
abused by aggressive advertisers through the use of adware or spyware. Disregarding
professional marketing and advertising ethics aggressive advertisers employ adware and
spyware scripts to spam your browser with unwanted and sometimes illicit offers.
Another variation is the use of personalized pop-ups. When you begin to receive multiple
pop ups with your name on them, that is an idication that someone is spying on you with
spyware.
8. Unknow 900 numbers:
900 number are not very common. They usually carry a charge for access. Have you noticed
a spike in your phone bill with charges to 900 numbers that you do not know? You might
have been spied on a spyware program owner. It is believed that spyware and adware are
responsible to a certain percentage of the identity theft crime that we see and hear about
often today.
9. Foreign entries in your favorite folder:
If you all of a sudden begin to see foreign items in your favorite folder, be warned. There is
a good chance that someone has caused those items to appear there. It is suggested that
you check your favorite folder frequently and delete unfamiliar entries.
10. Additional browser toolbars:
The presence of a toolbar that you did not install on your system, may well be another tell
tale sign of spyware presence.
The average Internet user does not ordinarily fool around with toolbars. Most people are
satisfied with the Internet Explorer, Yahoo and may be Google toolbars. If a toolbar looks
unfamiliar to you, it probably is and should be investigated and possibly removed.
Finally, there are times when it may seem all is well. Do not rest of your oars. A good rule
of thumb for living on the internet is to do your due dilligence. Be proactive. Deploy some
security systems and scan your computer frequently as some spywares and adwares
operate in stealth.
Your system is your investment. Protect it.
This article is brought to you by Allspywarefree.com
Austin Akalanze is an Educator, a Freelance writer and webmaster at http://www.allspywarefree.com
He has been published on several article directories across the net.
