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, spywareIdentity Theft Prevention Guide - 17 Prevention Tips to Protect Your Family
Follow these Identity Theft Prevention Tips to minimize your risk of becoming a victim:
- Carry only the identification information and the number of credit and debit cards that you’ll actually need.
- Keep your personal information in your home secure, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done in your home.
- Guard your Social Security Number. It can be used to open new accounts, credit cards, or even get a job in your name.
- Cancel unused credit card accounts.
- Don not carry your SSN card; leave it in a secure place.
- Ask about information security procedures in your workplace or at businesses, doctor’s offices, or other institutions that collect personally identifying information from you.
- Order your credit report and monitor it often.
- Remove your name from the marketing lists of the three credit bureaus to reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive.
- Buy a crosscut shredder. Shred all old bank and credit statements and credit card offers before throwing them in the trash.
- Make copies of the contents of your wallet - in case your wallet or purse is stolen.
- Do not leave mail with personal information in your mailbox.
- Never give your credit card number, social security number, or other personal information over the phone unless you trust that individual and/or business.
- Protect your personal information on your computer by installing a firewall and updating your virus protection.
- Do not print your Social Security or Driver’s License number on you checks.
- Carefully examine the charges on your credit card and bank statements.
- Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts.
- Subscribe to an identity theft prevention service that will notify you whenever someone tries to assume your identity.
Article Provided By: Identity Theft Prevention Guide
http://identity-theft-prevention-guide.com
Provides up-to-date prevention tips, news, scams, laws, and more on America’s Fastest Growing Crime…Identity Theft.
Spyware and Adware Double the Trouble as Compared To Viruses
Spyware is a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer’s operation without the informed consent of that machine’s owner or legitimate user. Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware - by design - exploits infected computers for commercial gain.
Spy ware has become more a problem than most common computer viruses. Spy ware and Adware have tripled in the threats compared to an common .exe virus. Anti Virus programs have all got good at detecting a virus however not all spy ware software has the process of catching spy ware and adware as well. Many of those spyware programs have a problem of false positive hits on non spyware cookies and such. And then those true spyware files that do infect some computer also alter your registry and not all anti spyware software will clean your registry of those illegal lines.
On line free spyware scanning is almost useless. They do little more than try and give a false high count of possible spyware and adware just to sell the software. I am very impressed with Aluria and its software for spyware. It gives very few false warnings of spyware and it will also automatically clean an infected registry with just a click of the mouse. Aluria Software also offers routine updates for new spyware and adware just as soon as they are identified. I have Aluria on 4 computers and from Windows 98SE and XP neither has shown any signs at all of any conflicts. Aluria is one of the only spyware/adware software programs that offer an actual tech support team for any problems you should encounter.
I have tried numerous other adware/spyware programs and I have to say this is the best I have personally found. I have recommended it to many friends and associates and not one regrets installing it. This is a free download that is the full version limited only in the length of time you can use it. I recommend you give it a try.
Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.
Dennis Evans has been testing spyware programs for the past 2 years and has found great success in his research. Check my website about spyware and adware. http://spywaremasters.com/
Tags: adware, anti spyware, free spyware removal, spyware, spyware removal, spywares
