Information

How to Detect and Remove Spyware and Adware

By: Debbie Jacobsen
Submitted: 2007-01-17 15:51:24
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

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.

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.

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

Debbie is a corporate IT Manager and author of the following sites covering computer security topics: Computer Security for Everyone, and Antivirus, Firewall and Spyware Resources.
For more information on adware removers and anti spyware software, visit her page on Spyware Removers and Anti Spyware.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Personal Tech category

  • Setting Up a Service Level Agreement - By: Rob Seolas
    You can scarcely work with an IT company anymore without hearing the term SLA. Service Level Agreements are prevalent in most companies and help to define a contract between 2 parties. Whether general or specific, the agreement will help provide specific guidelines you can rely on through your working relationship.
  • Have You Look Into Online Computer Classes? - By: Arvinder Jeet
    We are getting to the age in our history where you need to learn and know how to use some kind of electronics or you are going to be without a job. The day that we are living in today is getting to be more and more about electronics.
  • Computer Support - By: James Larry
    With online computer support services at your side, you can easily say goodbye to expensive technicians who charge per incident or per hour. People who have experienced these services found them extremely helpful to troubleshoot software problems.
  • Advantages of Registery Fix - By: Rimmy Gill
    The need to fix a corrupt registry is something which any personal computer owner may face at any time. Perhaps in order to address whether it is important to fix a corrupt registry or not, let us first define the Windows registry. The Windows registry is a database of information about the configuration of a computer, including software, hardware as well as files and other preferences that you have set on your computer. When faced with a corrupt Windows Registry, many people wonder what causes this problem.
  • iYogi - Online Computer Repair Services - By: Addie Swadie
    Online computer support is offered through the Internet. The technician will connect to your PC through a remote desktop connection and will fix your computer errors right away while you watch. The process can be availed from any part of the world with just the Internet being the top priority.
  • Technical Net Jargon - By: Sandra Prior
    Bots crawl along the backbone, swinging from server to server and round a few routers. If this makes no sense at all, you need to get acquainted with some technical Net terms.
  • What is Netiquette? - By: Sandra Prior
    Netiquette is an attempt to foist table manners on the Net user who might care - a sort of book of right and proper manners for all young and fair societies. Or generally, a set of guidelines Net users should follow to be good Net citizens.
  • Online Technical Support - By: Andrew Lehren
    Computer support experts are gaining in popularity because of their ability to solve the problem effectively over Internet without having you to leave your premises. They are not the amateurs but certified technicians who resolve your PC issue right in front of your eyes as if it's some magic.
  • 10 Tips on How to Get Best Customer Service Support for your Dell Laptop and Printer - By: James Kara Murat
    Dell is one of the leading companies that sell some of the best computer products like laptops, printers, desktops and other PC accessories to suit the varying needs of different customers across the globe.
  • Increasing Craze for Online Computer Support - By: Andrew Lehren
    Technology is daily undergoing a makeover. Whether you use a desktop or laptop, you will find how quickly the technology changes and progresses. It is extremely difficult for any non-tech person to cope up with tech changes. Fortunately, there is a comprehensive range of computer support resources are there to refurbish a sense of security when encountered with nasty PC issues or tech problems.