What is Spyware?
Spyware is software or programming that is installed on your computer and used to secretly gather your personal information, which is then relayed or sold to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in your computer as a software virus or as a result of installing a new program.
How can spyware affect my computer?
Spyware can affect your computer in a number of ways. It is an executable program capable of monitoring your keystrokes, scanning your files, viewing your emails or chatting sessions, reading your cookies, changing your settings, leaving a backdoor open for hackers, and installing other programs. These examples are just few of the many spyware threats.
Below is a list of several different kinds of spyware threats:
- Malware - perform harmful tasks on your computer, like modifying your settings
- Hijacker - redirects your browser to other websites
- Dialer - dials a service through your line for which you are then billed (most likely porn sites)
- Trojan Horse - attaches itself to another program and causes harm to your system
- Collectware - collects information about you and your surfing habits
How can I prevent spyware from happening?
Spyware is virtually unavoidable but there are certain precautions you can take in order to prevent excessive spyware. Keep in mind that using programs such as Print and File sharing and Peer-to-Peer programs allow your computer to be more vulnerable to spyware attacks.
That best way to protect your computer against spyware is to run an application that can identify spyware and remove it. Listed below are some free software packages that remove cookies, adware, and Trojans. These tools operate much like antivirus software. Their developers have identified hundreds of spyware files and folders and Registry keys that will search for and remove them from your system.
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10194058.html?tag=lst-0-1. - Spybot Search and Destroy, removes and cleans Web usage tracks from your system.
http://moosoft.com/thecleaner/ - 30 day trial that will find Trojans that are sometimes not found by Anti-virus software.
http://www.a-2.org/en/ - Trojan and malware scanner
http://www.ad-aware.com/ - Spyware finder
