You have Spyware.
"Someone is spying on YOU!"
If you surf the 'Net, you've probably got spyware on your PC. Researchers at Universities and security vendors estimate that millions of desktops are infected with spyware.
Worse, you may have some sort of harmful malware that could be stealing your personal information. Spyware can track your activities, record keystrokes, and send that information to other people.
Not all spyware is invasive or harmful but none of it is not installed to benefit you. It's there to benefit someone else.
I don't know about you, but I don't want any spyware on my computer. Ever. That's why I use SpyEraser by UniSoft. Another option is XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic.
"What are Spyware, Malware, Adware, and Keyloggers? It's more than simply a nuisance! "
Spyware is software that has been installed on your PC without your knowledge or consent. The term spyware is commonly used to include adware and malware. The purpose of most spyware is track shopping and web surfing patterns. This is not for your benefit. Its purpose is to benefit of the marketers who, armed with better data, can create more targeted sales activities.
The class of spyware known as "adware" is generally more annoying than harmful. It usually presents itself as annoying advertising banners, windows, of pop-ups that try to direct or divert your attention to a product or web site. For example, many "adult" web sites have used pop-ups; and, when these things show up at unexpected times (in the presence of children or co-workers), it can be very damaging if not damning.
The class of spyware known as "malware" includes more malicious uses of these tools. Malware may alter settings in your PC or install unnecessary toolbars of gadgets (or what I call "gadbars") in your browser. Often these software changes can slow your computer or make it crash -- sometimes repeatedly. Malware may also scan your computer to gather personal information. Personal information about you or your online activities can be sent to a remote site. Not only is your privacy being invaded, but it raises the possibility of identity theft. Keyloggers are also a form of malware. Keyloggers track your keystrokes recording ("keylogging") details of your activities.
"How do you get Spyware?"
You can become infested with spyware by visiting certain web sites, installing free software or shareware. Some are installed when you sign-up for various services that require you to install additional software. It should be noted that the vast majority of free software and shareware is completely safe. But, the smart PC owner must be cautious about the source and have proper antivirus and spyware protection installed. You may also find spyware is installed when you subscribe to some pay services. And while this may be fully disclosed in their licensing information, most people do not read those carefully.
"Umm, why no. I don't' have spyware on my PC"
I'm an IT guy. I don't visit dodgy sites. I'm very careful about what I install. I'm not a security freak but I'm well acquainted with the risks.
One day my PC started acting a little weird. It crashed or ran slowly. After doing a little research, I began to think I had a virus. But, virus protection was and up-to-date. No viruses.
Could it be spyware? Hmm. No, I don't do anything that would allow ME to get spyware. Then, after wasting considerable time looking for other problems, I decided to get a free scan. Bingo. Wow, was I surprised (and a little embarrassed). My system was infested with spyware. How and where I got it, I'll never know.
"How do I get rid of spyware?"
Some of the newer anti-virus products include spyware protection. Symantec Norton's AntiVirus 2007 is a great antivirus that includes spyware protection. But, if you aren't in the market for antivirus -or- if you want something stronger that is dedicated to finding, removing and blocking spyware, you should look at SpyEraser by Uniblue or XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic. They have a great product with full customer support. But, you don't have to believe me. Visit their sites and read the testimonials on their site from happy customers.
I've used several products over time and SpyEraser and XoftSpy are the best I've seen. SpyEraser gets better from industry reviewers.
When you scan, be careful. All of them seem to be very aggressive. That is, they will return a list of things that is usually, but not always, spyware. So go through the list carefully and decide what you want to keep. Checking the first scan can be a pain if the list is extensive. Sort through the "cookies" - small and not dangerous bits stored on your PC to tell web sites who you are -- to keep those for sites that you visit often. Most other cookies should be deleted. After that it's not hard to keep things "pest" free.
After I installed mine and cleaned up my system, I feel much better. I know now that people aren't tracking how and when I shop or surf the web.
If you surf the 'Net, you've probably got spyware on your PC. Researchers at Universities and security vendors estimate that millions of desktops are infected with spyware.
Worse, you may have some sort of harmful malware that could be stealing your personal information. Spyware can track your activities, record keystrokes, and send that information to other people.
Not all spyware is invasive or harmful but none of it is not installed to benefit you. It's there to benefit someone else.
I don't know about you, but I don't want any spyware on my computer. Ever. That's why I use SpyEraser by UniSoft. Another option is XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic.
"What are Spyware, Malware, Adware, and Keyloggers? It's more than simply a nuisance! "
Spyware is software that has been installed on your PC without your knowledge or consent. The term spyware is commonly used to include adware and malware. The purpose of most spyware is track shopping and web surfing patterns. This is not for your benefit. Its purpose is to benefit of the marketers who, armed with better data, can create more targeted sales activities.
The class of spyware known as "adware" is generally more annoying than harmful. It usually presents itself as annoying advertising banners, windows, of pop-ups that try to direct or divert your attention to a product or web site. For example, many "adult" web sites have used pop-ups; and, when these things show up at unexpected times (in the presence of children or co-workers), it can be very damaging if not damning.
The class of spyware known as "malware" includes more malicious uses of these tools. Malware may alter settings in your PC or install unnecessary toolbars of gadgets (or what I call "gadbars") in your browser. Often these software changes can slow your computer or make it crash -- sometimes repeatedly. Malware may also scan your computer to gather personal information. Personal information about you or your online activities can be sent to a remote site. Not only is your privacy being invaded, but it raises the possibility of identity theft. Keyloggers are also a form of malware. Keyloggers track your keystrokes recording ("keylogging") details of your activities.
"How do you get Spyware?"
You can become infested with spyware by visiting certain web sites, installing free software or shareware. Some are installed when you sign-up for various services that require you to install additional software. It should be noted that the vast majority of free software and shareware is completely safe. But, the smart PC owner must be cautious about the source and have proper antivirus and spyware protection installed. You may also find spyware is installed when you subscribe to some pay services. And while this may be fully disclosed in their licensing information, most people do not read those carefully.
"Umm, why no. I don't' have spyware on my PC"
I'm an IT guy. I don't visit dodgy sites. I'm very careful about what I install. I'm not a security freak but I'm well acquainted with the risks.
One day my PC started acting a little weird. It crashed or ran slowly. After doing a little research, I began to think I had a virus. But, virus protection was and up-to-date. No viruses.
Could it be spyware? Hmm. No, I don't do anything that would allow ME to get spyware. Then, after wasting considerable time looking for other problems, I decided to get a free scan. Bingo. Wow, was I surprised (and a little embarrassed). My system was infested with spyware. How and where I got it, I'll never know.
"How do I get rid of spyware?"
Some of the newer anti-virus products include spyware protection. Symantec Norton's AntiVirus 2007 is a great antivirus that includes spyware protection. But, if you aren't in the market for antivirus -or- if you want something stronger that is dedicated to finding, removing and blocking spyware, you should look at SpyEraser by Uniblue or XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic. They have a great product with full customer support. But, you don't have to believe me. Visit their sites and read the testimonials on their site from happy customers.
I've used several products over time and SpyEraser and XoftSpy are the best I've seen. SpyEraser gets better from industry reviewers.
When you scan, be careful. All of them seem to be very aggressive. That is, they will return a list of things that is usually, but not always, spyware. So go through the list carefully and decide what you want to keep. Checking the first scan can be a pain if the list is extensive. Sort through the "cookies" - small and not dangerous bits stored on your PC to tell web sites who you are -- to keep those for sites that you visit often. Most other cookies should be deleted. After that it's not hard to keep things "pest" free.
After I installed mine and cleaned up my system, I feel much better. I know now that people aren't tracking how and when I shop or surf the web.
posted by The IT Guy at 3:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home