What
Is Spyware?
Spyware
is computer software that is installed
stealthily on a personal computer
to intercept or take partial control
over the user's interaction with
the computer, without the user's
knowledge or consent.
Unlike
a computer virus, spyware does not
directly spread in the manner of
a worm. Generally, an infected system
does not attempt to transmit the
infection to other computers; the
issue is contained to your local
system.
They
will reach your system by exploiting
security holes or are packaged with
user-installed software, such as
Limewire. Spyware is often hidden
alongside other programs, and you
may unknowingly install spyware
when you download a program from
the Internet or install software
from disks.
Spyware
normally interferes with networking
software, which commonly causes
difficulty connecting to the Internet.
Spyware, along with other threats,
has led some Windows users to move
to other platforms such as Linux
or Apple Macintosh, which are less
attractive targets for malware.
However these platforms are not
full-proof so don't fall into an
out of sight trap.
The
scariest part of being attacked
is the privacy implications, as
spyware can also gather information
about e-mail addresses and even
passwords and credit card numbers.
It's important to stop spyware today!
Not
only can spyware programs collect
various types of personal information,
but they can also interfere with
user control of the computer in
other ways, such as installing additional
software, redirecting Web browser
activity, or diverting advertising
revenue to a third party.
Microsoft
has an entire Windows Update site
devoted to automatically updating
users' systems with all the latest
fixes and patches for a wide range
of Microsoft software, including
Windows, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Access), and Internet Explorer.
Anti-spyware
software programs can be used solely
for detection and removal of spyware
software that has already been installed
onto your computer. Anti-virus software
can detect many but not all forms
of malicious software before they
have a chance to affect your computer.
Anti-spyware
applications must also be able to
remove programs on reboot for spyware/adware
that refuses to be removed through
normal processes. Of course, anti-spyware
applications alone can't protect
you entirely from unwanted spyware
and adware. For example, recent
test results show that bundled software
(WhenUSave) is ignored by popular
anti spyware free program AdAware,
(but removed as spyware by most
scanners) because it is part of
the popular (but recently decommissioned)
Edonkey client. To address this
dilemma, the Anti-Spyware Coalition
has been working on building consensus
within the anti-spyware industry
as to what is and isn't acceptable
software behavior.
Another
form of spyware is Adware, it's
similar to viruses in that they
can be malicious in nature, however
the focus now is money as people
are now profiting from these threats
making them more and more popular.
Adware
is often hidden alongside other
programs, and you may unknowingly
install it when you download a program
from the Internet or install software
from disks. Adware is software that
displays advertisements to computer
users. Although most adware is spyware
in a different sense for a different
reason: it displays advertisements
related to what it finds from spying
on you.
Malware
is software designed to infiltrate
or damage a computer system without
the owner's informed consent. Malware
will log your keystrokes, steal
your passwords, observe your browsing
choices, spawn pop-up windows, send
you targeted email, redirect your
web browser to phishing pages, report
your personal information to distant
servers, and serve up pornography.
Malware hijacks your browser and
redirects you to advertising or
a phishing-con web page.
It's
important that you lockdown your
computer today and protect yourself
from the threats on the Internet
today. Check out our website for
the latest info on removing spyware
and how to protect yourself from
Spyware and more.
Spyware
Doctor has consistently been awarded
Editors' Choice, by leading PC magazines
and testing laboratories around
the world, including United States,
United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany
and Australia.
About the Author
Rusty wants you to stop spyware
and tracks the latest news on spyware
and viruses on his website. Checkout
the latest news on Free Spyware
Removal, Anti
Spyware Free downloads and more.
