What is Spyware?
Spyware is also known as Adware.
Basically it is software that is installed on your computer without your
knowledge. It gathers information about you and your PC. It monitors your
surfing habits and then sends information about you back 'home'. You then
start to receive unwanted advertisements in relation to the websites visited
and/or content of those websites. The information about you is sometimes
sold on to other companies. Some of these programs are also capable of
stealing passwords. For example if you use on-line banking services then it
is possible for one of these programs to steal your password and obtain
access to your bank account.
<>How does it get
on my computer in the first place?
Spyware find its way on to your PC in
a number of ways but the most common are through Warez and Porn sites. These
sites can download and install the software without you even knowing. 'Peer
to Peer' software (commonly referred to as P2P) is also responsible for
installing spyware as part of the program. Some websites may trick you into
downloading a piece of software by falsely claiming that it is required for
the website to run correctly. Once this rogue software has been installed on
your PC is the time when problems really begin to appear.
Other software such as Porn Dialers
and Premium Rate Dialers are also a major problem. These 'Dialers' call home
at a premium rate and the first you know about it is when you receive an
excessive telephone bill relating to telephone numbers you know nothing
about.
<>What can Spyware
do?
Once on your PC its purpose is to
gather information about you and your PC without your knowledge. This also
includes information about any other members of your family/friends who use
your PC. Information relating to Personal details, Passwords, Credit Card
information and Bank Accounts can be stolen and sent to someone else via
your internet connection.
Keyloggers are a type of spyware that
can be installed on your PC and are used to trace and log all data that you
type. Your PC and your web browser can also be hijacked, meaning that your
homepage has been taken over by certain unwanted and undesirable websites.
<>How do I know if
I have spyware?
The symptoms are similar to those of
a virus and any one or combination of the following may apply:
i) Your PC runs slower than usual and
CPU usage is high.
ii) Unexpected icons and shortcuts
appear on your desktop.
iii) Extra bookmarks appear in your
Favorites that you haven't saved.
iv) Your Web browser suddenly
displays a new search/tool bar that you have never seen before.
v) You have a new home page. (The
page that appears when you first access the internet).
vi) Popup advertisements appear even
when you are not connected to the internet.
vii) Popup advertisements appear
informing you that your computer is infected with spyware. Some offer a free
scan and they will always find something that will cause alarm. What has
been found generally does not exist but the rogue software insists that it
does. In order to fix the problem the vendors of this rogue software insist
on payment and you part with your hard earned cash for something that didn't
exist in the first place.
If you do receive popups in relation
to your PC being infected with spyware then check out the list of
rogue/suspect Anti-Spyware Products before proceeding by clicking on the
following link.
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products
<>What can I do
about it?
Thankfully there is software that you
can use to eliminate Spyware and Hijackers. Some of these programs are free.
A good combination of the free
programs to use would be to download, install, update and run Ad-AwareSE,
Spybot Search & Destroy and Windows Defender. These will find and delete the
majority. However, if your machine is still infected you will need to use
alternative methods. One such method would be to register on our
message boards.
Membership is free and we have people who are very experienced in dealing
with this type of infection. The advice given by them is also free.
Happy computing and safe surfing.
by:Tjolly
5 Star Support
Forums
Related material:
What is a Virus?
What is Spyware?
What is Phishing?
What is a Firewall?
Preventing malicious attacks
Additional resources:
Security and Vulnerability
Spyware and Adware