A Beginner's Guide To Spyware

By Author: Isaiah Henry
Total Articles: 220
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Do you know what spyware is all about? Well, I can assure you if you enjoy downloading anything for free off the internetbrace yourself, because you probably have a few these malicious programs crawling through your PC this very moment.

Spyware does not concern itself with etiquette of asking for your permission. It simply just invades with much evil intent with no respect for your privacy, and the Internet is its pathway to your computer.

A common tactic of these spyware programs is to ride the back of freebie software that you may download. These freebies, official called freeware or shareware, are usually free porn, games, videos & p2p applications. But do not get me wrong, they sometimes use sophisticated methods to invade your PC. And the hard truth isthis stuff is legal!

After you download your much anticipated free program, you click the installation icon. Then there is a license agreement that stands in the way of your enjoyment. So of course, just like me, you quickly select the I Agree button. And this is what makes these spyware programs legal.

Usually spyware either displays advertising ...
... or it tracks what you are doing. Ever notice pop up windows suddenly appears on your computer? This is from spyware trying to get you to buy something. Other spyware tracks everything you are doing online and transmits the information to an advertising company.

Spyware can also gather email addresses in your address book, as well as passwords and other information off your computer and transmit it without your knowledge.

Do I Have Spyware?

Here are a few tips that may point to a spyware problem:

1) Constant random pop ups

2) New toolbars or icons appear on your browser and desktop

3) Slow computer and/or slow Internet connection

4) Your browser goes to advertising sites unexpectedly

5) Your browser settings change supernaturally

6) Advertising appears everywhere on your computer

If you notice one or more of these problems, you definitely have spyware installed on your computer.

I dont want to seek any help, what can I do?

1) Download a well respected firewall program for your computer. If your computer is not on the endangered list, then you already a firewall built-in. Double-check to determine if the firewall is enabled. The popular antivirus programs have built-in firewalls too.

2) Never click on popup advertisements. If you click, they will know that you are a real person, and you will just get more.

3) Stay away from free downloads. There is no such thing as free! Make sure to do some research first to determine the legitimacy of the software.

4) Keep your Windows and Browser up to date. Microsoft offers free security updates. Make sure that you update regularly.

5) Use anti-spyware software. Most virus checking programs also check for spyware. Numerous other programs are available.

Never click on or purchase spyware cleaning programs that come from spam email or from popups! These are so-called spyware cleaning program are themselves spyware! Make sure that you buy spyware cleaning software from a reputable company or youll end up making your problems worse!

Once you have spyware cleaning software installed, run it often and regularly and delete any programs the software finds.