What are Viruses - Worms - Trojan Horses - Adware - Spyware - Firewalls - Spam - Popups

What are viruses? Viruses - A virus is a software program that is capable of replicating with little or no user intervention, and the replicated programs also replicate further. Viruses piggyback on real programs. For example, a virus may attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs as well, and it has the opportunity to reproduce...

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All About Spyware

J. Barbour http://www.delete4good.com

You've heard about and, you know it's bad. We hear alarming statistics like "over 90% of personal computers are already compromised by spyware" and "spyware and other potentially unwanted programs are rapidly becoming the number one threat to business systems". But just what is it?

According to McAfee Inc., the leader in spyware protection solutions:

Spyware is any software whose function includes the transmission of company or personal information to a third party without their knowledge. The consequences of undetected spyware and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) could include identity theft, system and network corruption, slower Internet access, reduced system productivity, and an increased number of pop-up ads.

To put it another way, spyware on your computer can send out to another computer, and ultimately another person, anything and everything on your computer and everything you do on your computer.

A better but much longer (and my personal favorite) definition of spyware comes from geekpatroloncall.com. They define spyware as:

Spyware is potentially more dangerous beast than Adware because it can record your keystrokes, history, passwords, and other confidential and private information. Spyware is often sold as a spouse monitor, child monitor, a surveillance tool or simply as a tool to spy on users to gain unauthorized access. Spyware is also known as: snoopware, PC surveillance, key logger, system recorders, Parental control software, PC recorder, Detective software and Internet monitoring software. Spyware covertly gathers user information and activity without the user's knowledge. Spy software can record your keystrokes as you type them, passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive information, where you surf, chat logs, and can even take random screenshots of your activity. Basically whatever you do on the computer is completely viewable by the spy. You do not have to be connected to the Internet to be spied upon. However you define it, spyware is plain old bad.

Here are a few tips to help protect you from spyware:

1. Buy a good, comprehensive software program that protects your computer. I use McAfee Internet Security Suite and XoftSpy, which is a malware scanner. These products can stop spyware. If it's already on your computer, they find it and delete it for good (http://www.delete4good.com)

2. There is no such thing as a free lunch. When you download freeware or shareware, chances are that you are downloading spyware with it. Therefore, only download software from sources that you can absolutely trust.

3. Certain "types" of websites are notorious for injecting your computer with spyware. Those "types" of websites include: peer-to-peer sites, free games websites, and pornographic sites. If you frequent these type of website, make sure your computer is protected (see number 1 above).

4. Make sure that your web-browser security settings are configured correctly. This can prevent spyware or other malicious software from automatically downloading on your computer.

5. Never, never, never click on pop-up ads. I know that some pop-up are irresistible. But they are irresistible for a reason. Pop-ups are meant to get your attention. But if in the pursuit of your attention, they get you to click on them, you may get more than you bargain for.

If you happen to see a pop-up that is advertising something that you just have to have more information on, just take note of the item it's advertising and do a keyword search on it. But never click on the actual ad.

Spyware protection has turned into a multibillion-dollar business. But, even the best spyware protection is useless if you don't take necessary precautions. Reducing your risk to being exposed to spyware better than anything. Doing just a little bit of research and taking a few precautions can greatly reduce your risk of being exposed to not only spyware but also adware, viruses, trojans and other so called malware.

About the author: J. Barbour is a consultant for Weinman-Skaggs Consulting in Miami, FL. http://www.delete4good.com


Watch out for spyware programs that slow down your computer system

collects information from your PC and sends it to another party. The most dangerous types of Spyware programs copies personal information that you would not share with anyone such as passwords, files and credit card numbers. Other types of spyware programs act as a forced advertising program. The program will track your keystrokes and web surfing habits. Once the program, and company running it, knows your habits they will try to change your web page to get you to go to specific sites and purchase something or surf on their site. The corporations who create and distribute spyware, get many...

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Do You Know How To Remove Spyware From Your Computer?

Spyware is rapidly becoming a major problem for Internet users. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 computers are infected with spyware or ad ware or both. Spyware may be responsible for 50 % of all computer crashes. Spyware runs silently and you may not be aware that your every move on the Internet is being observed and recorded. If a user does not detect and remove spy ware from his computer, all his files may get infected and it may stop working. All his passwords, credit card numbers and other personal information may be stolen before he can realize what is going on. Once spyware has been removed,...

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