Here's everything you need to know about
Spyware !
What is Spyware?
Spyware are software programs that
are made with the Intention of allowing individuals and companies to
spy on your web browsing activities. These programs literally invade
your privacy, slow down your system and annoy you with constant popups.
Is your PC infected with Spyware? Have you downloaded music online? Does your PC run slower than it
should? Do you get bombarded with annoying pop-up ads?
If you’re wondering whether or not someone
is invading your privacy and dragging your computer down, scan your
system for Spyware
to find out!
If you use the Internet, there is over
90% chance your computer is infected with spyware - (Source CNN)
Do these Spyware programs affect
everyone or just some users?
- Spyware and Adware programs affect everyone.
- Every single piece of information that
you enter on the web can be intercepted by an unauthorized person
or entity.
- Unauthorized websites can wind up on
your desktop and in your Internet favorites.
- Every step you make on the Internet
can be tracked and watched.
- The information obtained about you can
be sold without your consent or your knowledge.
- Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can
attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval.
- Your default homepage and settings can
be hijacked so you can't change them.
- These programs install themselves and
slow down your PC by taking up vast amounts of hard drive space, and
worse yet, you can’t remove them without help.
- That’s where Spyware removal tools
come in.
Other Questions about Spyware
How does a computer become infected with
Spyware?
Whenever you download a program or a
file or click on a pop-up ad, you’re putting yourself at great risk
of downloading a parasite program.
How big of a problem is Spyware infection?
It’s huge. There are currently around
80,000 Spyware programs on the web, and all of them can be detrimental
to your computer. Each and every day, hundreds of thousands of Internet
users are infected with a Spyware program.
What exactly can Spyware hackers do to
my system?
You don’t want to find out. Really, it’s
better to just protect yourself than worry about what hackers can
do, because if you find out, it’s too late. Most cases of identity
theft and stolen credit cards are thanks to the efforts of unscrupulous
hackers.
Is Spyware Removal Tools easy to use?
Yes, they are extremely easy to use.
If you can use a computer, you can use Spyware Removal Tools.
What exactly does Spyware Removal Tools
do?
They are really a number of packages
and exactly what each specific program does for you will depend on
which package you choose. From speeding up your system to protect
your identity and your family, these programs are made to make your
system safer and more secure.
How effective are these Spyware Removal
Tools?
There are numerous experts working around
the clock to make sure their customers are protected and secure. If
you’re looking for the most effective program, I can recommend this
Spyware
Removal Tool
How about tech support?
These guys offer technical support 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. Try it for Free Now - Click
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So - Why Do I Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me?
Spyware is one of
the fastest-growing internet threats. According to the National Cyber
Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These
unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls
and anti-virus software without the user's knowledge. Once embedded
in a computer, it can wreak havoc on the system's performance while
gathering your personal information. Fortunately, unlike viruses and
worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate.
Where does it
come from?
Typically, spyware originates in three ways. The first and most common
way is when the user installs it. In this scenario, spyware is embedded,
attached, or bundled with a freeware or shareware program without the
user's knowledge. The user downloads the program to their computer.
Once downloaded, the spyware program goes to work collecting data for
the spyware author's personal use or to sell to a third-party. Beware
of many P2P file-sharing programs. They are notorious for downloads
that posses spyware programs.
The user of a downloadable
program should pay extra attention to the accompanying licensing agreement.
Often the software publisher will warn the user that a spyware program
will be installed along with the requested program. Unfortunately, we
do not always take the time to read the fine print. Some agreements
may provide special "opt-out" boxes that the user can click
to stop the spyware from being included in the download. Be sure to
review the document before signing off on the download.
Another way that
spyware can access your computer is by tricking you into manipulating
the security features designed to prevent any unwanted installations.
The Internet Explorer Web browser was designed not to allow websites
to start any unwanted downloads. That is why the user has to initiate
a download by clicking on a link. These links can prove deceptive. For
example, a pop-up modeled after a standard Windows dialog box, may appear
on your screen. The message may ask you if you would like to optimize
your internet access. It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no
matter which button you push, a download containing the spyware program
will commence. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now making this
spyware pathway a little more difficult.
Finally, some spyware
applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the Web
browser or other software. When the user navigates a webpage controlled
by a spyware author, the page contains code designed to attack the browser,
and force the installation of the spyware program.
What can spyware
programs do?
Spyware programs
can accomplish a multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are
simply annoying for the user; others can become downright aggressive
in nature.
Spyware can:
1. Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
2. Scan files located on your hard drive.
3. Snoop through applications on our desktop.
4. Install other spyware programs into your computer.
5. Read your cookies.
6. Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
7. Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
8. Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult
to eradicate.
9. Cause your computer to run slower.
10. Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
11. Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not
get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that
changed the original affiliate's settings.
12. Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected
or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.
Spyware Examples
Here are a few examples of commonly seen spyware programs. Please note
that while researchers will often give names to spyware programs, they
may not match the names the spyware-writers use.
CoolWebSearch, a
group of programs, that install through "holes" found in Internet
Explorer. These programs direct traffic to advertisements on Web sites
including coolwebsearch.com. This spyware nuisance displays pop-up ads,
rewrites search engine results, and alters the computer host file to
direct the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup preselected sites.
Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to redirect Internet Explorer
error pages to advertisements. When the user follows the broken link
or enters an erroneous URL, a page of advertisements pop up.
180 Solutions reports extensive information to advertisers about the
Web sites which you visit. It also alters HTTP requests for affiliate
advertisements linked from a Web site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company
makes an unearned profit off of the click through advertisements they've
altered.
HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, is distributed by Traffic
Syndicate and is installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at affiliate
websites or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. It's
a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware. These programs
will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track Web browsing behavior,
and display advertisements.
How can I prevent
spyware?
There are a couple things you can do to prevent spyware from infecting
your computer system. First, invest in a reliable commercial anti-spyware
program. There are several currently on the market including stand alone
software packages such as Lavasoft's Ad-Aware or Windows Antispyware.
Other options provide the anti-spyware software as part of an anti-virus
package. This type of option is offered by companies such as Sophos,
Symantec, and McAfee. Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by providing
real-time protection, scanning, and removal of any found spyware software.
As with most programs, update your anti virus software frequently.
As discussed, the
Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem
because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality.
Spyware enjoys penetrating the IE's weaknesses. Because of this, many
users have switched to non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to stick
with Internet Explorer, be sure to update the security patches regularly,
and only download programs from reputable sources. This will help reduce
your chances of a spyware infiltration.
And, when all else fails?
Finally, if your computer has been infected with a large number of spyware
programs, the only solution you may have is backing up your data, and
performing a complete reinstall of the operating system.
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End of FAQ to Spyware
Spyware