Spyware and Your PC
What is spyware?
Why is it dangerous?
These are two questions many people ask.
In my opinion, spyware and adware are much more dangerous than a virus.
Why?
For one, spyware can steal your personal data as well as track your internet habits.
Spyware is often located in web bugs or downloadable items such as music, screensavers or other types of digital downloadable media.
It can actually be hidden in "legitimate" software.
Many companies will mirror a well known company to get the consumer to buy the product, and unbeknownst to them there is spyware or adware buried in the software.
You may get notices to upgrade your software through names such as Microsoft, Google, Adobe, etc.
The best way to download a product is to go to the companies registered site and make sure your run an anti-spyware application.
For any of you who are affiliate marketers, there is a spyware named "Stealware" by the New York Times, which has also been called "Click Fraud" or "Affiliate Fraud".
This type of spyware will redirect the income of rightful affiliate's commission to the account of the spyware account.
This is horrible, as many affiliate marketers spend a lot of their time promoting and marketing as their source of income, these spyware users are robbing these people from their rightful commissions.
One of the biggest targets of adware and spyware is Internet Explorer.
It is used most often world wide and has a reputation of having very weak security.
It is intergrated into Windows OS and it has a scriptability which makes it very simple and susceptible to intrusion of these vicious software programs.
There are also "Browser Helper Objects" which can simply attach to Internet Explorer.
These help redirect traffic and add toolbars.
A very common complaint of spyware is through "pop-up" advertisements.
Like many banner advertisements, spyware ads will use flickering banners and animation designed to grab the users attention which makes them very distracting.
Spyware and Adware affect every user on the internet.
All the information you enter on the web can be interceded.
Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your desktop (icons).
Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your list of favorites.
Browsing activity can be tracked and monitored.
Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval.
Your personal information can be sold to other parties without your knowledge or consent.
Your default homepage can be hijacked so you can't change them.
These malicious components not only invade your PC so they cannot be removed but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC.
So what do you do when you think you are infected with adware or spyware?
There are several free programs on the internet today, but I have found through much research and trial and error that the NoAdware software is the best on the market.
The first time I ran it I had over 150 parasites that were cleaned and removed, but this was after a hacker from Korea had gone into my Paypal account and wiped out my checking account.
He was able to steal my information from his spyware and I will never not run without this NoAdware program again.
The best advice I can give you, is be very careful.
Protect yourself, your computer and make sure you change your passwords frequently so that you are secure with your web surfing.
Never download digital products without a secure system.
As the internet is a world of fun but it is also a world of thieves that won't let much stand in their way.
Be safe and have fun surfing the World Wide Web and Beware of Adware and Spyware!
New Anti-Spyware Weapon Combats Spyware Epidemic
(ContentDesk) December 27, 2005 -- A new Custom Fix function built into a very powerful anti-spyware program called SpyNoMore is enabling programmers to protect against computer spyware infections. With new spyware programs popping up every day, the spyware epidemic has continued to outpace programmer's attempts to stay ahead of computer infections. With the release of this new (patent pending) anti-spyware weapon called Custom Fix, programmers are now staying ahead of inbound computer threats. Custom Fix is considered a breakthrough in the fight against spyware in that it enables live technical support personnel to remotely examine an infected computer then issue a fix to remove that specific infection.In addition to Custom Fix, SpyNoMore is loaded with features that enable it to remove any infection. Features include:"Active Protection blocks spyware before your computer becomes infected"Host Blocking blocks known spyware-spawning websites"Vaccination inoculates your system against...
New Anti-Spyware Weapon Combats Spyware Epidemic
Spyware > New Anti-Spyware Weapon Combats Spyware Epidemic
Spyware Kits a Continuing Threat to Internet Users
(ContentDesk) April 8, 2006 -- Many users of the Internet continue to fail to take basic precautions to protect themselves from Spyware and other malicious software. "This problem is not going away and so many people are not taking even basic steps to safeguard their computers" Recently, a Russian website was discovered that is selling the WebAttacker spyware development kit. The kit is available for approximately $15US and is being marketed on the merits of its ability to infect computers. The kit includes scripts, which are specialized sets of instructions that web browsers interpret. Frequently, scripts are used to attack computers.A popular ruse is to send out e-mails (e.g.
SPAM) on interesting topics that point users to illegitimate websites. The unsuspecting web surfer then finds that his/her personal computer is attacked by these scripts, which are also referred to as malicious software.A disconcerting aspect of this type of attack is the lower level of technical sophistication...
Spyware Kits a Continuing Threat to Internet Users
Spyware > Spyware Kits a Continuing Threat to Internet Users
Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
On December 8, 2004 Webroot, an award winning anti-spyware solution provider, released a press release identifying the ten most significant emerging spyware and adware threats. Most of these you probably haven't heard of and a few may surprise you.It is estimated that 9 out of 10 computers are infected with spyware, also known as, adware, scumware, malware and many others. Here's the top 10. ?PurtyScan ? popup ads that trick users into installing by claiming to find and delete pornographic images.?n-CASE - adware program that delivers targeted popup adds. This program is usually bundled with freeware.?Gator - adware program that displays banner ads based on your Web surfing habits.
This program is usually bundled with the Kazaa file-sharing program, as well as other free software programs.?CoolWebSearch ? hijacks home page, Internet Explorer settings, and Web searches.?Transponder - monitors sites visited and any data entered into online forms, and then delivers targeted ads....
Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
Spyware > Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
How To Avoid Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft
With identity theft statistics currently at an all time high, and climbing, it just makes sense that we should all be doing everything we can to protect ourselves.One of the most prevalent yet overlooked ways your personal information and passwords may be being compromised is through the presence of Spyware on your computer.Note these very disturbing Facts about Spyware and Identity Theft:
- 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including 9.91 million people or 4.6% of the population in the last year alone.
- Spyware infects 91% of all computers. That equates to an alarming 9 out of 10 computers!
Spyware > How To Avoid Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft
Spyware
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