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What is Spyware?
What is Spyware?
| Posted By: D-A-L | Date Added: 23-10-2005 11:43 AM | Views: 732 |
What is “Spyware”?
Spyware is software that gets installed on your computer either with or without your permission. Once installed it goes about its job of collecting information without your knowledge. The type of information that it collects, and who that information gets reported to, varies depending upon the spyware program, or programs, that run on your PC.
How does this Spyware get installed in the first place?
Some spyware gets installed with your permission although you may not realize that it is spyware. These "legal" spyware programs, such as KaZaa Toptext, Comet Cursor, Gator, and Bonzai Buddy do notify you that you are installing spyware (although they don't call it that exactly) but they bury the fact in the fine print so you're not really aware. Malicious, or "illegal" spyware often comes hidden inside of MP3 player software, games, and web sites that pop up a box asking you click "OK" to accept something that they are trying to download to your PC. Of course, not everything that you are asked to click "OK" for is spyware, but you should check a bit further before blindly accepting downloads onto your PC. This is doubly true if you are at an adult or gamers site.
What does spyware spy on?
The "legal" spyware typically keeps track of the web sites that you visit, the links that you click on, your shopping habits, and how long you remain online each day. This information is used by the Spyware companies to develop an online "profile" of you which they then either use to send popup or banner ads to your browser, or they sell that information to marketers who splatter you with ads. The illegal spyware may actually record your personal information such as your e-mail address, physical address, credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security number, and other sensitive information that you may type while on line. These people use this information to steal your identity and your money.
What can I do to protect myself against Spyware?
Your first defense if to not use "free" software programs that are offered to you on the Internet. Nothing is truly free (well, some things are but you're not going to find them being offered on most of the web sites that the average user visits), and these software programs are typically paid for by third part advertisers who get your marketing demographics through the software that you download. Next, you should get a good Spyware scanning program and run it once a week or so. There are plenty of Spyware scanners out there, but there is only one that I recommend. A moment ago I said that nothing was free except for a few things that you weren't likely to run across. Here is one of those few free software programs that are worth downloading. The product is called "Spybot - Search and Destroy" or "Spybot-S&D" for short. It was written by Patrick M. Kolla. Not only is it the most comprehensive Spyware scanner and remover available today, but it is 100% absolutely free! Don't worry, there is no Spyware inside of Spybot: Search and Destroy. He supports the software by asking for donations. You don't HAVE to make a donation but, if you use the software, go ahead and send him a few bucks. It helps to keep the software current.
Beware! There are a lot of imitators who use names for their software that are deceptively similar to Spybot-S&D. These imitators DO have Spyware in them and some versions are very dangerous. To protect yourself, only download from this link: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html After you install the software let it run. Depending upon the speed of your PC, and the size of your hard drive, this could take up to several hours the first time. It's worth the wait though and you can simply let it run while you sleep. I'm willing to bet that if you have been online for more than a week that you have some Spyware on your PC right now.
Take what you've learned in this article and get rid of it. Your personal information may be at risk! Here are two other safe Spyware removal programs that many people use. HijackThis http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/10/17/10-17-69.shtml and Ad-aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
This article may not be copied or distributed in part or in full from this site and is copyright D24 Media Limited.
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