Spyware,
Adware &
Malware Page
Definitions:
Spyware:
Any software
that
covertly
gathers user
information
through the
user's
Internet
connection
without his
or her
knowledge.
Once
installed,
the spyware
monitors
user
activity on
the Internet
and
transmits
that
information
in the
background
to someone
else.
Spyware can
also gather
information
about e-mail
addresses
and even
passwords
and credit
card
numbers.
Spyware is
similar to a
Trojan horse
in that
users
unwittingly
install the
product when
they install
something
else. A
common way
to become a
victim of
spyware is
to download
certain
peer-to-peer
file
swapping
products
that are
available
today.
Adware:
A form of
spyware that
collects
information
about the
user in
order to
display
advertisements
in the Web
browser
based on the
information
it collects
from the
user's
browsing
patterns.
Common
method is
Pop-up
windows.
Malware:
Short for
malicious
software,
software
designed
specifically
to damage or
disrupt a
system, such
as a virus
or a Trojan
horse.
Removal and
Protection:
The best way
to check for
and remove
spyware
programs is
with a
"cleaning"
program.
Similar to
an Antivirus
software,
these
programs are
designed to
remove
spyware and
malware
problems.
Many of
these
programs
will have
definition
updates to
allow the
program to
find the
latest
spyware
versions.
While you
can pay for
these
programs,
our
experience
has shown
that many of
the free
versions
perform as
well or
better.
Here are
three free
versions to
download and
try.
While
completely
protecting
your
computer
from spyware
may be
almost
impossible
there are
some simple
things you
can do.
Here are
some
recommendations
1. Keep
your
software up
to date -
Microsoft
and others
offer
updates to
improve
security and
stability
2. Adjust
your Web
Browser
settings -
Most Web
Browsers
allow some
level of
customization
for things
like java
scripts,
visual basic
scripts,
activeX and
more. Also
you can use
an
alternative
browser such
as
Mozilla
Firefox.
3. Use a
firewall -
whether
software or
hardware, a
firewall can
protect a PC
from many
different
problems and
since any
spyware that
collects
data and
transmits it
over the
internet
almost
always uses
a specific
port number,
the firewall
can block
this traffic
from gaining
access to
the outside
world.
4. Safe
surfing -
While
amazing and
entertaining,
the Internet
is full of
dangers.
Stick with
reputable
sites and
companies
with good
names.
Avoid
point-to-point
file and
music
sharing
sites and
the programs
you need to
work them.
These are
gateways to
your
computer and
all your
personal
information.
Also, when
pop-ups do
happen, do
not click
any button
within the
pop-up.
Either click
the "x" in
the top
right corner
or press
ALT + F4
to close the
window.
5. Use
Anti-Spyware
Software -
Find a
Anti-spyware
program you
like and run
it every few
weeks. Most
professionals
agree that
currently
the best
spyware
software is
FREE!!!!
Check the
links above
from Adaware
and Spybot
which are 2
of the best.
A little
prevention
goes a long
way to a
happy
computer.
