Spyware: What is It?
Josh Johan asked:
Spyware is a type of software that is loaded on your PC without you knowing it. This kind of software can collect sensitive data like your web-browsing habits, shopping tendencies, and even login or credit card info.
Most of the time, sypware is installed one of 3 ways:
The spyware is secretly attached to another file of software (like a search toolbar, or screen-saver) then loaded without the user’s permission or knowledge when you download the file.
The spyware is secretly downloaded when you view certain websites which are designed to attack vulnerabilities in your browser.
Some spyware software is only designed to collect information about your web-browsing habits in order to deliver unwanted ads, but more dangerous spyware can take over parts of your PC and do more extensive damage.
Spyware has the ability to:
Show targeted advertising in the form of popups.
Take over your search functions in order to show you unwanted ads.
Steal sensitive data like login info, passwords, bank account info, or social security numbers.
Monitor each key-stoke you make.
Do financial transactions using your credit card or bank ID.
One of the more malicious ways spyware creators are now using is called “rootkit” installs. They download the spyware as part of a normal PC function like your web browser, driver, or other system function so that the spyware is easily hidden and will run each time you use one of these normal PC functions. This makes spyware even harder to find and eliminate.
How do I stop spyware on my computer?
Thankfully, there are a number of excellent antispyware software applications that can detect, eliminate, and protect your computer from spyware of all kinds. Some are better than others, but I think the top choices on this site for this year are the best in the business.
If you aren’t sure if you have spyware on your PC, try a free spyware scan to find out. You won’t want to find out the hard way if your credit card numbers, or bank account has been stolen.
spyware
Spyware is a type of software that is loaded on your PC without you knowing it. This kind of software can collect sensitive data like your web-browsing habits, shopping tendencies, and even login or credit card info.
Most of the time, sypware is installed one of 3 ways:
The spyware is secretly attached to another file of software (like a search toolbar, or screen-saver) then loaded without the user’s permission or knowledge when you download the file.
The spyware is secretly downloaded when you view certain websites which are designed to attack vulnerabilities in your browser.
Some spyware software is only designed to collect information about your web-browsing habits in order to deliver unwanted ads, but more dangerous spyware can take over parts of your PC and do more extensive damage.
Spyware has the ability to:
Show targeted advertising in the form of popups.
Take over your search functions in order to show you unwanted ads.
Steal sensitive data like login info, passwords, bank account info, or social security numbers.
Monitor each key-stoke you make.
Do financial transactions using your credit card or bank ID.
One of the more malicious ways spyware creators are now using is called “rootkit” installs. They download the spyware as part of a normal PC function like your web browser, driver, or other system function so that the spyware is easily hidden and will run each time you use one of these normal PC functions. This makes spyware even harder to find and eliminate.
How do I stop spyware on my computer?
Thankfully, there are a number of excellent antispyware software applications that can detect, eliminate, and protect your computer from spyware of all kinds. Some are better than others, but I think the top choices on this site for this year are the best in the business.
If you aren’t sure if you have spyware on your PC, try a free spyware scan to find out. You won’t want to find out the hard way if your credit card numbers, or bank account has been stolen.
spyware