We All Know Spyware Can Hurt Your Computer, But What Is Spyware?


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by Jack Mason

You have probably heard of spyware before, but it isn’t a term that many people know it’s meaning. We all know it’s a bad thing, but it’s important you understand what spyware is and why it has gotten such a bad rap.

When you hear the term spyware, it is refering to programs or software that gets installed on your computer without your knowledge. These programs can cause all sorts of problems on your system – here are a few examples:

1) Sniff out personal data and pass it on to the programmer of the spyware. There have been many cases where even financial data have been compromised.

2) Install additional or unwanted computer programs causing the computer to perform well below par.

3) When you are online, you are redirected to certain websites that have other harmful files such as viruses or other infections.

4) Without you being aware, spyware can change the security settings you have on your computer so that your computer is at an increased risk of getting viruses or having personal information stolen.

As you can see, spyware can be a big headache!

Spyware is also notorious for slowing down your computer’s performance and creating all sorts of pop-ups or annoying ads when you are online.

Wondering how spyware makes it way onto your computer?

Most of the time you will never know for sure where the spyware on your computer came from. It sneaks its way onto your computer in various ways – some examples are:

1) Shareware that offers downloads for music or movies. These programs are famous for installing spyware on your computer without you ever knowing.

2) A common way systems get infected is from “utility” type programs that are downloaded and come bundled with some form of spyware. There are all sorts of programs that are offered for free download on the internet – although they may serve a purpose many of them will also install spyware on your system.

3) Another method used by Spyware developers is to mimic the operating system’s messages so that you click on them. When you click on them the Spyware gets installed.

For example, if you are using MS Windows, the Spyware manufacturer may develop a pop-up that looks exactly like a message from Microsoft. When you are browsing, this pop-up may entice you to click on it – and when you do that – presto; you’ve just opened the doors for the Spyware.

How can you tell if there’s Spyware on your computer?

Most people will start to notice their computer starts to slow down and they may also get more advertisements popup when they are browsing. Spyware is famous for making computers run a little “sluggish” – this is one of the first signs that your computer is infected.

Many people notice that there computer is running slower than usual and they just assume it’s a hardware issue, however spyware is often the culprit.

It’s important that you protect your computer and make sure you destroy any spyware on your system starting today!

Computer experts estimate that 9 out of every 10 computers have some form of spyware installed on them. It’s crucial that you protect your system and personal information by using a top-ranked anti-spyware program.

You need a solid and reliable anti-Spyware program developed by a trusted manufacturer, and you need it as soon as yesterday! Remember, only top-ranked anti-Spyware programs can effectively remove the malicious Spyware from your computer and protect it from future Spyware attacks, so don’t let yourself put it off. A quality anti-spyware program will scan your computer for any existing infections, kill them off, and then protects your system from any future infections.

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Posted on November 13, 2008
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