Anti-Spyware

What is Spyware?

Spyware is malicious software that has been surreptitiously installed on a computer typically from a source such as the Internet.

What does it do?

Spyware in its present form started out as a means of surreptitiously gathering information about a person and relaying it over a medium such as the Internet. It has somewhat evolved and can now be used to steal information such as someone's bank details or to harm your computer.

It can harm your computer in many ways from making you computer behave in an unexpected manor to causing regular system crashes. Spyware can be installed by means of using free programs downloaded from the internet and also by doing such things as installing Internet browser toolbars.

My computer works fine, so it's Spy-ware free?

If your lucky then you don't, but unlike a virus not all spyware will show itself by trying to harm your system. It may just quietly sit there gathering information and sharing it with some unscrupulous person. Which could potentially be more harmful than any computer virus could ever be you.

Can spyware take control of my computer?

Spyware has the capacity to take limited control over your computer and the ability to make your computer unusable. The control it can take can come in the form of taking control of your Internet browser and redirecting you to another website. This could be done in order to further compromise your computer by having harmful viruses installed on it or in an attempt to generate revenue for third parties.

Is Spyware a Virus?

By definition spyware is not a virus; although it may be mistaken for one by a user as it can have the same malicious effect.

What can be done about it?

The best way to fight spyware is to make sure you are protected from the word "go". So, before you even start to use the Internet make sure you have some form of anti-spyware software along with anti-virus and a firewall.

Saying that, it is usually only when we have encountered a problem that we then go and look for the solution. Meaning, if you are reading this then there is a good chance you already have some form of spyware on your system and are looking for ways to combat this threat.

If you are already infected then there are some anti-spyware software packages that will find and destroy the spyware in most cases, but as you may be aware some work better than others. Some spyware packages will not find new or certain types of spyware and it usually those certain types of spyware which will be harming your computer.

There are many sites that can offer Spyware protection as well as a wealth of information about Spyware and how to protect yourself from it.

www.antispywareguidepro.com