Spyware: What you should know

Spyware can enter your computer through many covert routes: instant messenger, email and through clicked popup ads. A little known mode of infection is to install the software during the installation of other software you have chosen to download such as music or plug-ins. Be warned to read all disclosures whenever you install something on your system . Yes, we know that this sounds boring and time consuming, but what you may not realize is that the inclusion of spyware is sometimes written right into the license agreement or privacy statement. By simply agreeing to a user agreement, you may be unwittingly saying yes to spyware!

How Do Antispyware Programs Work?

Antispyware programs work through a process of "real time" protection. This process is similar to the way antivirus programs work- preventing the programs from entering your system. Through continuously scanning and monitoring all actions of your PC antispyware programs block incoming threats as soon as they arise, so that no infiltration occurs.

If your PC is already infected with spyware, antispyware programs can remove it. You can schedule weekly, monthly or daily scans to monitor whether or not your system is infected. If found, the program will remove the spyware.

Some programs offer both methods of protection discussed above. If you are in the market for an antispyware solution you may want to buy one with real time protection and interval scanning options. Essentially you will be able to protect from spyware and remove spyware that sneaks into your system. It's the best of both worlds.

Look Out! Programs with spyware...

Notable programs formerly distributed with spyware

AOL Instant Messenger (AOL Instant Messenger still packages Viewpoint Media Player, and WildTangent)
DivX (except for the paid version, and the "standard" version without the encoder). DivX announced removal of GAIN software from version 5.2
FlashGet (trial version prior to program being made freeware)

Stolen Computer?

What would you do if your computer was stolen? If you're like many people having your computer stolen is not impossible. Do you take your laptop to coffee shops? Do you store it in your car at times? Often personal computers are stolen from vehicles or from unattended tables at restaurants, coffee shops or libraries. In the worst cases computers are stolen from homes. If this were to happen to you, would you be prepared. Is your data stored and backed up? Or, would your treasured music, files and personal information be lost forever? We hope that you back up your files periodically. You can't know the future, and if you should find your valuable computer stolen, we hope you'll have your data safely stored away.

Browser Hijackers- More Information

We have described, in previous blogs, browser hijacks and just how annoying and interrupting they are. A browser hijacker occurs when the normal settings of your browser are "hijacked" and forcibly changed to new homepages. These new homepages may be different search engines, an advertising page or even a pornographic site. Imagine, your young child could log in to the computer and pornography could flash in their face! This is a dangerous problem. Basically, the point of a browser hijack is to redirect you to a web site for the purposes of inflating web traffic which in turn generates higher revenues from advertisers. Sometimes you can change the homepage back to its desired default by simply clicking into the Internet Options section in your browser. However, sometimes making the switch is much more difficult.
In some cases, these changes are reversible simply by going into Internet options and switching them back. Not always, however. Sometimes you have to edit settings in windows registry. For more difficult browser hijackers you'll need an anti-spyware solution to sort out and repair the damage.

Types of Spyware

Spyware is cunning and sometimes vicious software that gains access to your system without permission. It can extract secure and private information from you, making you vulnerable to Internet crime and theft. Typically spyware is categorized in two ways- as commercial or as domestic. Domestic spyware is that which is installed by a computer user. A user might do this to keep tabs on those operating within the network. This is how employers monitor employee's activities etc. Sometimes parents use Domestic spyware to monitor children's activities. Police departments sometimes use it to investigate potential criminal activity. Commercial spyware is
that which other sources, like companies looking to sell products, use to track your Internet habits. They use this information to target marketing to you. This is a lucrative tactic for advertisers, but is an infringement on your privacy as well, according to some opponents.

Cybercrime

Cybercrime refers to any crime that is committed through the use of a computer. The crime may be intended at the user or may be committed by the user. Cybercrime is a blanket term used to describe many crimes that occur as a result of Internet use. A user may unknowingly download a Trojan while downloading a new song from a file sharing program. The Trojan may log your keystrokes and send the sensitive information off to be exploited. Cybercrime can be the result of a virus infiltration or spyware infection.

Spyware History

How did spyware come about? The first documented occurrence of spyware was in 1995. The term itself was coined in 2000. An AOL study conducted in 2005 found that 61% of surveyed computers housed spyware. Most of those users did not realize their infection, however.

Beware of Browser Add-Ons

Browser add-ons are software that enhance your browser. They can be toolbars, animated companions or a handy extra search box. Some add-ons are no problem. In fact. some add-ons are convenient extras for your Internet browser. However, beware of add-ons because often they are spyware in disguise. If you say yes to an add-on that turns out to be spyware, you could be subjecting your system to slower operation. You could begin seeing more targeted advertising because the spyware that's in your system is watching your every move, recording which products you're interested in.

Spyware: Helpful Definitions

Spyware is a menace and a threat to your PC, so it's important to choose a product to protect your computer. It's also important to become knowledgeable about the basic terms and definitions regarding spyware, so while you're shopping for the right product, you'll understand the product descriptions. Here is a mini-glossary, with some helpful definitions.

Adware-- Adware is advertising. True adware adheres to the guidelines of advertising and provides sufficient information regarding the product in the user agreement. True adware does not add any other applications to your PC besides the intended product. There should be no hidden applications within adware that will redirect your homepage or transmit your information to third party predators. Adware should also be easily uninstalled from your system, with an uninstall icon in the Add or Remove Program section of your Control Panel.

BHO-- This acronym stands for Browser Helper Objects. BHOs are the customizations that can be added to your Internet Browser. You may be familiar with the Google search bar as a BHO. While BHOs are seemingly convenient some of these applications are used to infiltrate your computer and dislodge secure information.

Hijacker-- You may have experienced a hijacker within your computer. Say you have your homepage set to Yahoo.com One day you log on and suddenly your homepage changes from Yahoo to some unknown site that you've never seen and certainly not chosen as your homepage. That is a browser hijack. In the worst case scenarios your browser can be redirected to a pornographic site.

Cookies-- Cookies are small markers or flags placed on your computer each time you visit a specific site. The purpose of a cookie is to keep tabs on an individual's login information and site preferences. Cookies add convenience and expedience to site registration and login. However, sometimes cookies can be used for more devious intentions, such as annoying and targeted marketing, pop-up ad placement and personal information transmission to other sources for solicitation.

These are a few, but not all of the terms that pop up when spyware is discussed. For more definitions see the "Learn More" section of our review site devoted to AntiSpyware products.

Spyware: Zombie Computers!

Do you hate all the spam you receive in your inbox? Spam is commercial advertising, get-rich scams and faux legal services among other useless things. But did you know that spyware can make your computer the spam sender? It's true, 80% of the spam sent internationally is sent by zombie computers, unwittingly infected with spam. So, if you are infected with spyware you're not only hurting, but you're damaging someone else's system. To make sure your computer isn't a spam sender in disguise, purchase antispyware software.

Spyware definition: Worm

You may have heard this term when reading about spyware. What's a worm? Basically, a worm is a program that can duplicate itself. Worms can do considerable damage to your system, yet they may come in harmless packages like free software or an online joke.

Spyware and Viruses

Some people have the perception that viruses are dangerous and spyware is simply a nuisance. Not so. Though viruses have long been regarded as a threat and spyware have a shorter history both are huge PC risk factors. Don't think that spyware should not be taken seriously. It might pain you to think of buying software to protect against another threat, but believe us, it's worth it. Think of spyware and viruses as two different, but equally life-threatening diseases. Luckily our review site carefully researches antispyware software. All you need to do is browse our reviews and check our charts to find the best product.

Antispyware 101

Antispyware software protects your PC against the effects of spyware such as pop-ups, slow operation, and personal privacy violation. It is absolutely essential to choose an antispyware program that keeps your computer updated.

Here's the lowdown on pop-up ads: They can collect and transmit your information to a third party source. This means you are vulnerable to credit card fraud and even identity theft!

As you may have found, spyware can be hard to remove. After uninstalling, the program often reappears after restarting. An antispyware program is the only way to remove stealthy spyware.

AntiSpyware Important Feature

Are you in the market for an antispyware program? Do you need some direction on what features are important? A top priority in any antispyware product is automatic and frequent updates. The nature of spyware is that it is generated every day- probably every hour. A product with a very attentive updating system is integral for spyware protection. This means that you should look for automatic updates in the product feature list when shopping.

Spyware Removal

The web boasts many manual instructions for removing spyware on your own. In addition there are also many free removal software programs available. However, you are taking a considerable risk by manually manipulating your system to remove spyware. You could easily remove an integral piece to the functionality of your system, causing permanent damage. From the point of removal on your PC might work more slowly, or worse, might not work at all. Also, if you try to save money and download a free spyware removal program, you run the risk of actually downloading spyware. Think about this: you go through the trouble of tracking down a program to solve your spyware problem by downloading the problem! Both of these routes, though well conceived will get you nowhere. Buy a reputable antispyware product.

How did this happen: Spyware

Are you a conscientious computer user wondering how spyware could have happened to you? There are many covert ways that spyware can weasel its way into your system, so stoop kicking yourself and learn how to prevent further harm. One of the main ways spyware enters your system is through those annoying pop up ads. Though enticing, don't click on those ads that ask you that trivia question that you absolutely know. Show us how smart you are and CLOSE the malicious trivia pop up. That free Vegas vacation that pops up on your screen may be hard to resist, but as the adage goes: if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Many disguised spyware promise great deals and free stuff, but the only gift you'll receive is a computer teeming with pesky spyware. Next, those spam emails that are constantly cropping up in your inbox are not only annoying but they are potential spyware threats. It's best to delete any email that seems strange and unfamiliar. The truth is, if the email is important the sender will make it known to you in a clear non-suspicious way. Do you love to burn mixed CDs for your friends from music you downloaded for free. Well, as great as gift-giving seems, file sharing programs are spyware hot-zones. As you have probably realized by now, spyware is an ever-present threat. To really ensure spyware immunization you should consider purchasing an anti-spyware product that will protect your computer for you.

Spyware and the Law

Unauthorized access to a computer is illegal under computer crime laws, such as the U.S. like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Most computer users do not authorize spyware to infiltrate their system, so infection by spyware could be called an unlawful act. The law has characteristically prosecuted very few spyware developers. Spyware producers often argue that users have agreed to the terms of spyware when they consent to the user agreement. Often, a cryptic referral to spyware is hidden within these user agreement documents. Currently some states are drawing up and enforcing stricter laws on spyware, but until then you must protect your PC with anti-spyware software. For a full list of spyware products and accompanying reviews see http://www.consumerfirstreviews.com/

Vista anti-spyware protection has holes

Enex Testlab performed an independent study comparing leading anti-spyware products to the integrated spyware blocker of Windows Vista throughout 2006. The results showed that Microsoft Defender's quick scan blocked 46.61 percent of dangerous threats and their full scan blocked 53.39 percent. Tested at the same time with the same sample-set, Spyware Doctor's quick scan blocked 83.26 percent and the full scan blocked 88.69 percent. Clearly, Vista's integrated spyware protection does not keep your PC completely safe. Be sure to use an independent anti-spyware product to prevent spyware from ravaging your computer. A review site like Consumer First Reviews will help you find the right product at a reasonable price. http://www.consumerfirstreviews.com





for the complete article on the research results see http://www.pctools.com/news/view/id/164/

Can My AntiVirus Sofware Prevent Spyware?

No.
Though it would seem that, since spyware is unwanted, your antivirus software should detect it. However, your antivirus software will NOT detect spyware because spyware is different from a virus. The intent of a virus is to be exposed and public, after it sneakily enters your PC. The intent of spyware, on the other hand, is to remain hidden so that it can gather its information unnoticed, for weeks and months. Because of the difference between spyware and viruses, neither antivirus software or anti-spyware software is equipped to block both threats. You must purchase both products to ensure PC security. To learn more about antivirus and anti-spyware products see http://www.consumerfirstreviews.com/antivirus

What is spyware?

Spyware is software that collects personal information about users without their consent. Synonyms for spyware include adware and malware. Spyware can record your private information in a few different ways: logging keystrokes, recording browsing history, and prying into documents on your hard disk. Spyware creators use this information to target appropriate advertisements or, more maliciously, they use passwords and credit card numbers for identity theft. Some indications that your computer may be infected are: slow computer performance, unsolicited email, new desktop shortcuts, a change in your homepage default and the ever-annoying pop up ads.