Covert Online Spies
The Internet is a powerful tool that provides everyone online a way to be connected to each other, gather a lot of information and enjoy convenient services like online shopping and banking. However, many of us Internet users are at constant risk of adware and spyware downloads that make us extremely vulnerable to malicious acts.
We often unknowingly fall prey to adware and spyware downloads as we innocently use the Internet. These adware and spyware downloads can come bundled with some freeware programs we use and sometimes, simply browsing a site puts us at risk. The business of being infected with unwanted adware and spyware downloads can be very serious. Some adware and spyware or malware proliferate the Web to infect our computer systems which gives us no control over unsolicited pop ups as part of targeted market efforts.
On extreme criminal cases however, spyware that is called malware, can do harmfull things to your computer like:
* Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
* Cause your computer to run slower.
* Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.
* Read your cookies.
* Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
* Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to eradicate.
* Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
* Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
* Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
* Scan files located on your hard drive.
* Install other spyware programs into your computer.
* Snoop through applications on our desktop.
The information gathered covertly is used for identity theft, which can cause us major headache and at least thousands of dollars to clear our names.
These adware and spyware are unknowingly infect our computers and most of the time, we don't even know that they there. However, you can start becoming suspicious of adware and spyware downloaded into your system when you begin to have uncontrolled pop-ups from unsolicited sources. Sometimes, even without the telltale pop up ads you may notice a suspicious slow down in your computer's processing without any apparent reason. Your system slows down because these adware and spyware parasitically use up your system's resources to be able to perform their functions.
The only way you can be sure if your computer system is infected with adware and spyware> downloads is by installing an anti spyware program that will detect and flush out the unwanted programs. The proper anti spyware can also prevent future adware and spyware downloads. You need to choose an anti spyware program that does both.
Be wary of downloading anti spyware on the Net because some spyware are disguised and marketed as a free anti spyware.
One more thing you can do to protect yourself from unwittingly downloading adware and spyware programs is to read the fine print. When installing a new program into your computer, you are asked to tick off an option of whether you agree or disagree with the programs end user license agreement (EULA). Do yourself a favor and read what is written in the agreement before agreeing to proceed in the installation. Many shareware and freeware programs come bundled with spyware and adware programs and in some cases you can learn about them by reading the agreement carefully.
Because adware and spyware come bundled with your download, these programs will not run independently of the spyware it comes with. This means that if you have a good anti-spyware system installed in your computer, you won't be able to install the infected program.
Consequently, if an existing program infected with spyware is in your system, your anti spyware system will attempt to remove the infection. Since most spyware are closely bundled into certain programs, the removal of the spyware may cause the legitimate program it comes with to stop functioning as well.
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