Nothing brings doom quite as much as being told your computer has a spyware infection. The word spyware hints that your poor PC was duped into smuggling classified documents detailing plans for building a hydrogen bomb into Bolivia. Well, probably not this bad
There is spyware out there that is that scary. At its worst, spyware can find and steal passwords, bank records, credit card account numbers, and other private information. Online criminals can take this data and use it to steal your identity. Even benign versions of spyware can be difficult, taking up huge amounts of space on your PC and slowing down your computer.
What is Spyware? Simply, spyware is any program that takes control of certain aspects of your computer and is installed without your consent. There are many legitimate programs which are essentially the same as spyware; however, these programs are not installed unless you give your assent.
Types
of Spyware Adware: This spyware records which sites
you frequent and uses it to advertise specifically
towards you.
Dialers: Makes calls through
your internet connection, which are often charged to
your account.
Hijacking: Modifies your computer the way it wants,
changing your homepage, default settings, and other
issues. It may sound harmless, but these changes can
often compromise your security.
Keyloggers: Logs your keystrokes%u2014what is typed
into search engines, emails, password boxe.
Tracking Cookies: These log information about you that you might not want to be known%u2014which websites you visited, what you%u2019re typing, and account numbers.
This is just a short list of the types of spyware that could infect your computer. Each type of spyware is the same as other, legitimate sources; however, the spyware listed above can be dangerous.
What to Do - Of course the safest way to avoid spyware is to unplug your computer and never log on to the internet again. If that doesn%u2019t work, buying a highly rated antispyware program is the best way to go. Come to think of it, maybe smuggling is less frightening.
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