Spyware is a type of malware (ie, malicious software) is installed on computers without user consent. Spyware goes about collecting small amounts of information at a time around you. What information spyware collects can be relatively harmless and have little or no influence on you, or it can be fatal (as identity theft) and cause life changing consequences for you!
Before Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7 was released, the browser will automatically display an installation window for any ActiveX component, a website wanted to install. The combination of user ignorance against malicious software, and acceptance of Internet Explorer, ActiveX components are harmless, aided in the massive spread of spyware. Spyware software also exploit vulnerabilities in Javascript, Internet Explorer and Windows to install itself on your computer without your knowledge or permission.
Unlike viruses and worms, spyware is usually not self-replicate. Like the typical virus. Spyware exploits infected computers for commercial gain Typical tactics include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements, theft of personal information such as credit card and social security numbers, monitor your Internet surfing activity for targeted marketing, and routing you to advertising sites you probably do not want go to would not you want your family to go there.
The most common way spyware gets installed on your system is by rail to be taken seriously on a software product you want. In some cases, spyware programmers paid shareware authors to bundle spyware with their software. In other cases, spyware programmers repackaged freeware with installers that deliver the spyware on your computer. Typically, an affected computer has multiple infections of spyware. You will notice a deterioration in your computer's performance a significant increase in computer processor activity and probably your disk too. You can also see a significant uptick in network traffic. Other signs of spyware attack, the system goes down in the form of application failures or the blue screen of death (BSOD).
How do we remove the spyware on our computers?
Fortunately, there are several anti-spyware products dedicated to remove or block spyware. A good anti-spyware software product will provide real-time protection against the installation of spyware on your computer by scanning all incoming network data and block any spyware it finds. A good anti-spyware software product will also allow (specified user) scheduled scans of your computer to find and remove any spyware installed on your system. While a high quality Anti-spyware software product is important to have installed on your computer, it is also extremely important that you keep your system updated with latest security updates / critical patches for Windows and for what internet browser you use, ie Internet Explorer , Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, etc. If you use Internet Explorer, upgrade to Internet Explorer 8, which is Microsoft's most secure and advanced version.
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