Learn More About Spyware

|

By Sue Hamrick


Spyware is a "malware" or malicious software that is placed on your computer without your knowledge. This can happen when you visit online web sites offering free downloads of games, when you download videos or music, or any share files, such as when you download that comic e mail from your friend. At the same time you download a file, spyware programs are piggybacked into your machine. Spyware is infecting millions of home computers today.

Spyware tracks your on line computer habits. It is aware of each site that you visit as well as what you have looked up on that site. There are spyware that even tracks each keystroke that you make and also all the information you fill out on a form such as name and address, and credit card information when you make a purchase. Because of this, there are those in the online world that are worried that this can lead to identity theft and stealing of credit card numbers. Your personal information as well as your surfing habits are then sold to businesses. The spyware business is a billion dollar industry, with lots of people getting rich selling your information without your knowledge.

Unless you run anti spyware software often, then you don't know that spyware been installed until your computer starts to slow down which is another problem with spyware. When your computer slows down because of spyware, then it's likely that you could have as many as six or seven different spyware programs running in the background.

By running any of the number of anti-spyware programs available on the market today, you could get rid of spyware. Run these programs often. Some suggest that after you run an anti spyware program that you re-boot your computer and run the software again to make sure there are no "ticklers". Ticklers are designed to reinstall spyware.

The best way to avoid spyware is to stay away from downloading freebies. Don't open unsolicited e-mail, delete it before you open it. When downloading any software, even legitimate software programs from the internet read the end users agreement thoroughly. Some of these agreements will state that they are installing spyware type software, and by you downloading their program you are agreeing to let them put spyware on your computer. If you are aware of this, then you can protect your personal information because you will then have the ability to say yes or no.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

©2009 Minh Vu's Blog | Template Blue by TNB