Spyware - The Nasties That Lurk In Your Computer

Most People Are Aware Of Viruses

BUT

NOT MANY ARE AWARE OF THE BIGGER THREAT

"SPYWARE"

Yes Spyware.  What is it, you ask?  It is malware (akin to viruses), that takes many forms. Some of its directly noticeable effects include
Pop-ups - These irritations are usually for advertisements and can be for purchasing, 'antivirus' or 'antispyware' programs which are in themselves spyware (and you have the privilege of paying to have it install itself on your computer!)

• Toolbars - These 'utilities appear from nowhere when installing 'free software'.  This then clutters the top of the browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera are browsers) and can have  unwanted side effects.
• Different homepage - On opening your browser, if you find your homepage is not what you expect, then you have probably been 'browser hijacked'.  These nasties direct your browser to a pre determined website
• Desktop changes - Some spyware had the effect of locking your desktop background to an advert or other image not of your choosing.

Other indications that spyware may be present, include the computer is very slow, and sometimes you find your hard drive is filling up much quicker than it should be (again slowing your computer down).  

I have on some systems seen the computer come to a grinding halt, even though the system is more than capable of running the programs requested..

Do yourself a favour, get a couple of free antispyware programs (these you will have to update and possibly scan yourself).  My suggestions are Superantispyware and SpywareBlaster ( And No I am NOT an affliliate or receiving any compensation for the promotion of these two programs, I just believe that they are good at what they do).   Get Superantispyware here. and get Spywareblaster here.   You will need to update both programs manually and scan with Superantispyware.  Spywareblaster sits in the background and checks the system for unusual actions.

Aside from the above two programs I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU GET A FULL., PAID FOR SUBSCRIPTION to an INTERNET SECURITY SUITE such as AVG Internet Security (Yes I am a Reseller for this Program and as such I am not allowed to promote other products of a similar type).

'For Exceptional Service on Computer Repair visit Green Dragon Solutions'

More  Next Time