Monday, February 15, 2010

The Adware and Spyware Threat

Spyware and Adware are types of malware and have become constant threats to computer users. Spyware as well as Adware programs work their way into computers and can can be not only very annoying, but can also do damage to you and your computer in a variety of ways, including identity theft.

Adware is usually used for marketing purposes and is packaged within a program, game or software utility designed and distributed as freeware. In such freeware programs, most or all of the features are enabled for use; and, while you are using them, sponsored advertisements run in a small section of the software interface or are displayed as a pop-up ad box on your PC. When you stop running the software, the ads should disappear. However, some adware programs bombard your desktop with ads even though you're not using any of the aforementioned programs, which can be very annoying. You begin to lose control of your computer and may not be able to do your job well on your PC because of this.

Spyware may work and look like adware but is usually a separate program. Spyware, like adware, can be installed onto your computer when downloading freeware. While adware is more of an annoyance, spyware can be very harmful to you. These programs usually try to monitor your online activity and transmit information such as social security and credit card numbers to its creator. Some, are even sophisticated enough to download unwanted software on your computer. What makes spyware especially dangerous is that it is very hard to realize that your computer is infected with it until it is too late.

In order to protect yourself from such threats as adware and spyware, you should have an updated and effective spyware and adware removal tool. These programs can not only detect existing malware on your computer and destroy it, but also prevent them from being downloaded onto your PC.

For more help information about Adware and spyware visit http://www.squidoo.com/adware_software

Saturday, January 23, 2010

intro

Imagine, one day, you are doing internet research for a new TV (or any other product). After entering the query in the search engine, you get a list of results that you would normally expect; but, when you click on them you land on the wrong website, completely unrelated to new TVs. You might get confused, after all you have been using you computer for a long time and this has never happened. At first you might think that it was just a glitch in the internet system. But then this strange occurrence keeps happening to you, so you rationalize that it must be something else, but what can it be?

Surprisingly enough, there are many people who find themselves in a similar situation. The answer to this problem can be found in two words: spyware and adware. Spyware is computer software that infiltrates personal computers and reveals to its creator all of the user's personal information such as credit and social security card numbers. This is done by studying logging keystrokes, web browsing history and even scanning a user's hard drive. And with the expansion of the internet anybody can be a victim unless they have proper protection. To be protected from spyware and similar malicious software you must get an adware and spyware blocker program. These software remove or disable existing spyware programs and prevent the installation of these malicious software programs.

Spyware, adware, and other types of malicious software are not like virus or worms that self replicate but they can be just as much of a hassle. Other symptoms of such programs include the decline in your computer's performance, which can really be annoying because when you are at work you tend to want to finish things quickly not just because you are required but also because you want more done or you want to be able to go home early. Sometimes it is possible that you will never notice that you have spyware or other malware and it can get away with its crime and let its creator know everything about you. It is best then, to have a ready blocker to prevent such infections from occurring in the first place.

Here's a website that will help you find the best spyware and adware removal software: http://www.anti-spyware-software.com