PC Security — Spyware
Spyware has become a particularly nasty problems in
terms of pc security and pc health. Not only can it be annoying, it can also
be dangerous. Furthermore, some spyware is so poorly designed that it prevents
programs and even entire systems from running correctly, causing the system
to become unstable. But most people only think in terms of security threat
when they think of spyware.
Spyware is usually installed without you being aware of it. A spyware program
may be included in that free to download software that we all so often get.
Sometimes, the malicious program is simply adware spyware, which tends to
insert ads or cause ads to pop up when we are using our computers, but other
times, it is extremely harmful. Spyware is also typically very hard to remove
without the use of spyware removal software, and hard to find without spyware
detection or a spyware scan.
To avoid spyware, the first thing to do is to install an anti-spyware program.
There are many free anti spyware programs available, and many virus scanners
come with spyware detection as well. Make sure that you have one of these
installed, and that it is up to date. Next, get a good spyware removal program
as well. Not all detection software always catches everything.
Programmers of such software are constantly making advances to bypass virus
scanners and spyware scanners. So, even if you feel that you are well protected,
you will most likely still need a spyware removal tool to remove spyware
that makes it onto your hard drive regardless of your efforts. There are
free spyware removal software as well, as well as spyware scanners. You might
consider Spyware Blaster.
Next, be careful about the software that you are downloading. We all like
a good software download, but not all downloads are safe. The program you
are downloading is not necessarily the spyware. Instead, the spyware may
be embedded in the software that you are downloading. Your first step to
stop spyware is to read the user agreement before installing the software.
Some will actually disclose the information that there is spyware (although
it won't be called that) within the software. Unfortunately, this is rarely
the case. Look for a guarantee or statement that the software is spyware
free. You need a spyware blocker!
If you have a pop up advertisement appearing for no apparent reason, you
probably have spyware on your computer. This is especially true if you have
a popup blocker installed. Your computer may not be performing as well as
it did. It may run slower or seem sluggish. Your homepage (the first page
you see when you open your browser) may have changed, seemingly all by itself.
These are all signs that there is spyware, or at the very least adware on
your computer. Your computer rebooting on it's own is another symptom, although
this could be an indication of a virus instead of spyware. Don't assume that
your computer just has a mind of it's own, or that it was a fluke.
If any of these symptoms are present, run spyware detection, such as Spy
Sweeper to see if there is spyware on your computer. Then, use a spyware
removal tool to remove it. Removing all of the spyware on your system may
take several hours of work on your part, but that is time well spent. However,
with a good spyware blocker and detector, you will find that the amount of
work you have to do becomes quite limited.
Remember that spyware can not only make your system run poorly, but it can
also be dangerous. Some spyware logs the keys that you press, and you need
an anti keylogger installed as well. When keys pressed are logged, your passwords
and other information are made available. Keystroke logging is very
difficult!
Again, it takes time to get rid of any spyware that is currently on your
system. But when you have the right security tools in place, you are on your
way to having no spyware on your computer.
 PC Security: Index
PC Security:
Internet Browsers
PC Security:
Spam
PC Security:
Stopping Spam Part 1
PC Security:
Stopping Spam Part 2
PC Security: Spam
Scams
PC Security:
Email Security and Spam
PC Security:
Email Security
PC Security:
Computer Viruses
PC Security:
Protecting Computers From Viruses
PC Security:
Worm Viruses
PC Security:
Trojan Horse Viruses
PC Security:
Rootkits
PC Security:
Removing a Virus
PC Security:
Virus Hoaxes
PC Security:
Server Viruses
PC Security:
Home Network
PC Security:
Cell Phone Viruses
PC Security:
Spyware
PC Security:
Firewalls Part 1
PC Security:
Firewalls Part 2
PC
Security: Parental Control Software
PC Security:
Malware - Spyware and Adware
PC Security:
Data Backups
PC Security:
Pop Up Windows
PC
Security: Safe Public Computer Use
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