A few years ago, just when you were getting used to dealing with the computer virus, a new plague appeared. Spyware. At first spyware seemed to be a nuisance more than anything else but slowly people realized that spyware was a very real risk in terms of computer data and your own privacy. All of a sudden the computer world had to wake up to this problem and start dealing with it quickly. And that gave us a whole new industry - anti-spyware software
.
Where does spyware come from?
There are lots of sources for this junk that gets installed onto your PC. Two of the most common ways to get your computer riddled with spyware is to install a toolbar from some unknown website or to install software that it's either illegal or freeware that's filled with spyware. Another popular way of catching people out is to create pop-ups that say "Your PC Has Spyware!!! Click here to clean it now". One click later and you can have dozens of pieces of spyware infecting your computer.
What are the types of spyware?
There are more than can be listed here in one article but the two most common are browser hijacks and keyboard loggers. A browser hijack is when your homepage (Google or MSN homepage for example) suddenly changes to a sex site or some other random site filled with advertising. This is just really, really, really annoying.
Keyboard loggers just plain dangerous. These pieces of spyware can record every single piece of information you enter on your keyboard and send that information to the spyware author elsewhere in the world. And you won't know a thing about it. Until your credit card number starts getting used in Nigeria.
How can you tell if you have spyware
?
One really early warning sign is that you suddenly get dozens of popups for adult sites, casino sites, poker sites etc. Every time you close one of these down another one will appear almost straight away. If your browser suddenly opens up to a site filled with adverts for viagra and other junk that's one big warning. One of the main things to watch out for is the clever spyware. This stuff doesn't announce itself like popups - it just sits in the background quietly watching what you're doing. How can you tell? You'll notice that you system is suddenly running a lot slower for no reason you can figure out.
How can you remove spyware?
Lucky for you there are plenty of really good spyware detection and removal tools out there. You need to be careful about what spyware removers you download too - some of them are spyware in disguise! My two favorite free tools for clearing spyware from computers are Lavasoft Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Hand on heart these are two great programs that update themselves and do an excellent job of clearing out 99% of spyware.
One of the easiest ways to stop yourself getting spyware is to exercise a whole lot of common sense. Don't download things you don't understand. Don't click on pop-ups you don't understand. Just keep your surfing simple and spyware free.
.Where does spyware come from?
There are lots of sources for this junk that gets installed onto your PC. Two of the most common ways to get your computer riddled with spyware is to install a toolbar from some unknown website or to install software that it's either illegal or freeware that's filled with spyware. Another popular way of catching people out is to create pop-ups that say "Your PC Has Spyware!!! Click here to clean it now". One click later and you can have dozens of pieces of spyware infecting your computer.
What are the types of spyware?
There are more than can be listed here in one article but the two most common are browser hijacks and keyboard loggers. A browser hijack is when your homepage (Google or MSN homepage for example) suddenly changes to a sex site or some other random site filled with advertising. This is just really, really, really annoying.
Keyboard loggers just plain dangerous. These pieces of spyware can record every single piece of information you enter on your keyboard and send that information to the spyware author elsewhere in the world. And you won't know a thing about it. Until your credit card number starts getting used in Nigeria.
How can you tell if you have spyware
?One really early warning sign is that you suddenly get dozens of popups for adult sites, casino sites, poker sites etc. Every time you close one of these down another one will appear almost straight away. If your browser suddenly opens up to a site filled with adverts for viagra and other junk that's one big warning. One of the main things to watch out for is the clever spyware. This stuff doesn't announce itself like popups - it just sits in the background quietly watching what you're doing. How can you tell? You'll notice that you system is suddenly running a lot slower for no reason you can figure out.
How can you remove spyware?
Lucky for you there are plenty of really good spyware detection and removal tools out there. You need to be careful about what spyware removers you download too - some of them are spyware in disguise! My two favorite free tools for clearing spyware from computers are Lavasoft Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Hand on heart these are two great programs that update themselves and do an excellent job of clearing out 99% of spyware.
One of the easiest ways to stop yourself getting spyware is to exercise a whole lot of common sense. Don't download things you don't understand. Don't click on pop-ups you don't understand. Just keep your surfing simple and spyware free.
Has your computer suddenly slowed down? Are you plagued with pop-ups? Chances are you've got a spyware problem. We can show you how to fix your problem with free spyware removal programs that you can start using in just a few minutes. Discover how you can remove spyware at no cost and get back to enjoying your online time again.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Niall_Roche
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