Spyware as the terms refers, is a software program that is designed by unscrupulous software gurus to be installed on a computer to take over control of your computer's use without your knowledge. Spyware program can monitor your browsing behaviour, steal your personal data such as credit card details, sites which you usually go to etc. It can also attempt to secretly install some software programs on your computer without your knowledge. Sometimes it can redirect your browsing activity to other unintended sites. The effects of spyware programs include:
- Attempt to modify your computer settings
- Can even divert online revenue to other sites
- Slow internet connection
- Unwanted traffic
- Reduced computer performance
- Multiple computer infections
- Reduced CPU activity
- Boot failures
- Unwanted disk usage
- System crash
- Introduction of keyloggers into your system which monitor your keystrokes as you work on you PC
- Loss of some installed programs
A way to deal with this problem is to install a reliable antispyware program on your computer. There are alot of Antispyware programs available on the market today. Some of them are free while others are not (download from known and trustworthy sites only). Antispyware programs are designed to provide a remedy to this problem. Some provide real time protection on your computer.
The principle of operation does not differ from that of an antivirus protection. They monitor and scan all incoming data for any trace of spyware and unwanted programs. They either remove or block them completely from installing on your computer.
Avoid logging on to the internet from your administrator account. This limits acces to your valuable information.
Use strong passwords. Do not use passwords which can be easily guessed by criminals such as your first name or last name.
Do not use your private email for sending or receiving non-private information. Try to have several email addresses for particular activities.
Avoid downloading and installing any software you find on the internet. Some sites offer free software downloads which in true sense are not free. Most of them are a haven for spyware.
Constantly update your system. Turn on automatic security updates so that your system downloads and installs required security patches.
The principle of operation does not differ from that of an antivirus protection. They monitor and scan all incoming data for any trace of spyware and unwanted programs. They either remove or block them completely from installing on your computer.
Avoid logging on to the internet from your administrator account. This limits acces to your valuable information.
Use strong passwords. Do not use passwords which can be easily guessed by criminals such as your first name or last name.
Do not use your private email for sending or receiving non-private information. Try to have several email addresses for particular activities.
Avoid downloading and installing any software you find on the internet. Some sites offer free software downloads which in true sense are not free. Most of them are a haven for spyware.
Constantly update your system. Turn on automatic security updates so that your system downloads and installs required security patches.
You can run scheduled scans for any spyware on daily, weekly or monthly basis depending on your choice. This allows your antispyware to scan windows registry, disks, operating system files and other installed programs on your computer.
For your computer to continue to work efficiently, your antispyware program needs constant update.
References:
1. http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/antispyware.mspx
2. http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/spyware#spyware.2c_virus_and_worm
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