Spyware, And Adware, And Antivirus!…Oh, My! | ArticlesBase.com

<p><strong>Author:</strong> Shawn Martin<br /> <br /><strong>Article Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.mineeds.com" rel="nofollow">MiNeeds.com</a>, where consumers get competitive bids from Web Designers. Read reviews, compare offers &amp; save. It’s free! <br /> <br /><strong>Article Link:</strong> <a href="http://www.mineeds.com/Renton/Lyon-Technical-Services/Articles/Spyware-and-Adware-and-AntivirusOh-My" rel="nofollow"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mineeds.com/Renton/Lyon-Technical-Services/Articles/Spyware-and-Adware-and-AntivirusOh-My" rel="nofollow">http://www.mineeds.com/Renton/Lyon-Technical-Services/Articles/Spyware-and-Adware-and-AntivirusOh-My</a></a><br /> <br /><strong>Tags:</strong> adware , spyware , virus , computer support , computer repair , networking , desktop support , computer , help , support<br /> <br /><strong>Why do I need to be protected from Spyware when I am already using an Antivirus application? </strong><br /> <br />Just when you thought you were Web savvy and had mastered how to manage and protect your computer against viruses now you have to worry about spyware and adware. In a recent survey 80% of the computer users had some form of spyware or adware on their machines. Of these, 90% did not know about the infection and, even worse, didn't even know what spyware was! <br /> <br />For these reasons, spyware has replaced viruses as the number one security threat to PCs. <br /> <br /><strong>What is spyware?</strong><br /> <br />Spyware is software installed on your computer without your consent; spyware monitors or controls your computer activity, often capturing and transmitting your personal information without your knowledge. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity theft. <br /> <br /><strong>Is it the same as adware?</strong><br /> <br />Adware is legally installed software that tracks your online behavior while you surf the Web. Some adware programs transmit this information to online advertisers, who can then target you with advertising based on your surfing habits. <br /> <br />Adware also includes cookies, which are small programs placed on your computer while you visit shopping sites. Cookies are normally harmless. Without them, e-commerce would be a tiring exercise in filling out forms every time you visited each site. If in doubt, read a site's privacy policy before you enter personally identifiable information at their web site. <br /> <br /><strong>What sort of personal information can spyware and adware send to other people?</strong><br /> <br />Adware can send a record of the websites that you have visited. Spyware is different. Some kinds of spyware called keyloggers can record all of your keystrokes and transmit them without your knowledge. This means that all of your passwords and credit card details can be compromised. <br /> <br /><strong>What harm can these programs cause?</strong><br /> <br />Apart from the disastrous effects of identity theft, spyware also causes numerous side-effects. <br /> <br />If you've noticed that your PC has become slow and unreliable, has trouble connecting and acts strangely when you're surfing the Internet, then it's likely you've got spyware on your system. <br /> <br />The strange behavior when you're online can include your home page changing and your browser redirecting you to sites that you've never heard of, let alone wanted to visit. Often these are pornography, financial services, or pharmaceutical sites. In other words, the sort of things that spammers try to sell you! <br /> <br /><strong>To lower your risk of spyware infections:</strong><br /> <br />• Update your operating system and Web browser software, and set your browser security high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. <br /> <br />• Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software, as well as a firewall, and update them all regularly. <br /> <br />• Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Enticing free software downloads frequently bundle other software, including spyware. Avoid Kazaa, Limewire, Morpheus, and Napster<br /> <br />• Don't click on links inside pop-ups. <br /> <br />• Don't click on links in spam or pop-ups that claim to offer anti-spyware software; you may unintentionally be installing spyware. <br /> <br />All computer users should take preventive steps to avoid spyware, get wise to the signs that it has been installed on their machines, and then take the appropriate steps to delete it. <br /> <br />If you think your computer might have spyware on it, immediately stop shopping, banking, or doing any other online activity that involves user names, passwords, or other sensitive information. Confirm that your security software is active and current and run it to scan your computer for viruses and spyware, deleting anything the program identifies as a problem. If you need help identifying and cleaning your computer system of spyware infections just give Lyontech a call at 1-877-596-5966<br /> <br /><strong>Was the Article Useful?</strong><br /> <br />I hope you enjoyed the article! Please rate it at the following link, your feedback is highly appreciated: <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.mineeds.com/Renton/Lyon-Technical-Services/Articles/Spyware-and-Adware-and-AntivirusOh-My" rel="nofollow">Spyware, And Adware, And Antivirus!…Oh, My!</a></p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p><br><b>About MiNeeds.com:</b></br>
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