Guide 2 Spyware - Detect & Remove Spyware

   
Guide to Spyware

Basic Information
 What Is Spyware?
 Spyware & Adware Facts
 How Harmful?
 Spyware Detection
 Spyware Removal
 False Positives
 Spyware FAQ

Software

Books

Links


 		  














































 
Guide 2 Spyware   >   Spyware & Adware Facts

Spyware and Adware - Symptoms and Removal

by Debbie Jacobsen

Spyware and Adware Facts:

* Of the more than one billion computers on the internet today, 80% are not protected against spyware and adware.

* Spyware is the most common and most dangerous internet security threat today.

* Spyware is designed to steal our personal information so it can be used for illegal purposes.

* It is estimated that 60% of computers are infected with spyware and/or adware.

* Spyware is usually installed on our computers without our knowledge. We are usually "tricked" into installing adware by failing to read lengthy license agreements.

* Free software and cheap software usually contains spyware and/or adware.

* Free adware removers and free anti spyware software usually contains spyware.

* You can get spyware simply by browsing to an unscrupulous website.

* The amount of spyware on the internet has doubled within the past year, and will continue to grow significantly.

* Anti Spyware software is necessary to remove adware and spyware, and prevent you from getting it again. Antivirus software is not capable of removing all spyware and adware.


Spyware

Spyware is a small program or piece of code that is secretly installed on your computer and designed to "spy" on your online activity and/or personal information. Although not all spyware is used for illegal purposes, most of it can be very dangerous due of its ability to record keystrokes, take snapshots of our PC screen, and monitor everything we do online. Spyware that is used to commit crimes is called crime-ware.

Spyware gathers information and transmits it to the person who planted it. This person may use it himself or sell it to others. If the stolen data includes bank account or credit card information, you can be certain it will be used for a criminal's personal gain. Other stolen information such as social security numbers, drivers license numbers, addresses, etc..., is often used in identity theft.


Symptoms of Spyware

Spyware is designed to run quietly in the background of our PC, and is normally not detectable unless you have a lot of it. The most common signs that your computer is infested with spyware is:

* Your computer is running much slower than usual.

* Your computer takes a lot longer to boot up than it used to.

* You see a lot of activity on your network connection.


Meet Spyware's Close Cousin - Adware

A close relative of spyware is commonly known as adware. Adware intrudes on your privacy much like spyware does, but unlike spyware which is designed to steal confidential information, adware's purpose is usually related to marketing. In its most innocent form, adware tracks your browsing habits, the type of ads you click on, bookmarks you make and other similar online activities.

A more dangerous and unsavory form of adware is designed to force you to look at certain advertisements or websites. This type of adware is often used to lure you to a place where spyware can be installed. Because adware's purpose is designed to get you to perform an action, it is much easier to recognize than spyware.


Common Symptoms of Adware:

* A hijacked browser home page. When you open your browser you see a different website.

* Pop-up ads that won't quit.

* New icons or shortcuts on your desktop or new items in your favorites.

* New web pages keep opening by themselves.

* Search results that make no sense. Clicking on the links here will install spyware on your PC.


How to Detect and Remove Spyware and Adware

Obviously, spyware and adware are NOT something you want to have on your computer. The only way to detect and remove all the spyware and adware on your PC is to use anti-spyware software. There are many good anti spyware products on the market, and many are available to try for free before you buy.

Because free adware removers and free anti-spyware software is often designed to trick you into installing more adware and spyware on your computer, it is best to stay away from free spyware removers and free adware removers.

For the best protection and peace of mind, purchase good anti spyware software from a reputable security company.


Some Recommended Anti Spyware Software to Consider:

* Sunbelt Software's CounterSpy

* Computer Associate's eTrust Pest Patrol

* Grisoft Software's Ewido Anti-Spyware

* Outpost Pro Firewall - Firewall and anti-spyware in one.

* McAfee Security AntiSpyware software

* X-Cleaner


About the Author

Debbie is an information technology professional and author of Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware Resources [http://www.antivirus-firewall-spyware.com] - an informative website about computer security.

For more information, see her page on Spyware [http://www.antivirus-firewall-spyware.com/spyware.html].


 		        
Links
 Anti Spam Downloads
 Anti Spam Software
 Anti Spyware eBooks
 Anti Spyware Software
 Anti Virus Software
 Anti Virus eBooks
 Backup Downloads
 Backup Software
 Crime Prevention eBooks
 Identity Theft Guide
 Privacy Protection Downloads
 Security Downloads
 Security eBooks


 		  
 
 

 		  
Our company has no opinion or comment about which particular programs should or should not be classified as spyware or malware.

Copyright © 2007-2024, Answers 2000 Limited

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE,COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Disclosure: Our company's websites' content (including this website's content) includes advertisements for our own company's websites, products, and services, and for other organization's websites, products, and services. In the case of links to other organization's websites, our company may receive a payment, (1) if you purchase products or services, or (2) if you sign-up for third party offers, after following links from this website. Unless specifically otherwise stated, information about other organization's products and services, is based on information provided by that organization, the product/service vendor, and/or publicly available information - and should not be taken to mean that we have used the product/service in question. Additionally, our company's websites contain some adverts which we are paid to display, but whose content is not selected by us, such as Google AdSense ads. For more detailed information, please see Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures

Our sites use cookies, some of which may already be set on your computer. Use of our site constitutes consent for this. For details, please see Privacy.

Click privacy for information about our company's privacy, data collection and data retention policies, and your rights.

Contact Us   Privacy   Terms of Use   Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures

In Association With Amazon.com
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
In Association With Amazon.co.uk
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
As an Amazon Associate, our company earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon, the Amazon logo, Endless, and the Endless logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.


All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All third party content and adverts are copyright of their respective owners.