View PDF | Print View | Html Version
by: JamesBeckett
Total views: 3
Word Count: 489

Spyware is a sly information grabbing program that is downloaded onto a user's computer, usually in an underhanded manner. Some Spyware just shows useless notices on your computer, while other programs are significantly more malicious. Let's take a closer look at what Spyware is precisely.

Spyware is most notorious for installing onto your system without your knowledge, usually under the guise of something useful or piggybacked onto something else you are installing. The worst part is that there are companies out there who pay for you to get people to install it on their computers, so companies will actually bundle it with the free software they give you!

Sometimes this sneaky program can be installed easily once found, the programmer knows the game is up once it has been found and lets you clean your computer, but then other like the Dotcomtoolbar are more spiteful and make it incredibly difficult to install even with most software designed to remove it. That shows you the kind of people you are dealing with here. There is always a way to remove things, but in some instances you may need professional help or instructions.

The word 'spy' describes these programs perfectly, the main purpose of these is to monitor what you do online, where you go, what you buy, who you are. Now they started off as innocent market research programs I am sure, but then scammers managed to get hold of them. Imagine what some software that tracks your every move online can do when combined with the ability to track ever key you press on your keyboard...

There are different uses for the software, one of the most annoying uses is to spam you with ads while you use your computer, every minute or every few seconds ads will appear that you have to close, usually for the most useless and illegal stuff they can get their grubby mitts on.

This software can also harvest your personal details off your computer, or the websites where you fill in your details. Websites have named areas where you put your details, software can recognise you are putting your address in by the name of this area and remember it to transmit later.

People online can make money by directing you to sites of interest, which then pay the person who sent you there by tracking the process using cookies (all legit). Now these scammers can replace the cookies with their own (highly illegal) so that honest hard-working people online are cheated out of their money.

It is not all doom and gloom, there are programs out there that are perfectly legitimate and harmless, like the Alexa toolbar which I have on my computer. I allow it to track my activities willing and I know it is safe. However sadly 95% of the software out there has ulterior motives and can be used to steal from and manipulate you, that is why there are calls to ban this scourge completely.

About the Author

The only surefire way to stop spyware from infecting your computer is not to install any free software! But for a more workable solution then head over to our spyware remover reviews.

Add Comment