Spyware has become a huge problem and hassle for many computer users in the past couple years. Spyware is known mainly as software that attaches itself to your computer and monitors your actions and surfing habits computer for the benefit of the spyware’s owner or operator so that it can then monitor the your behavior. In layman’s terms, spyware watches your computer and then sends usage information back to the companies that built the spyware. The up side of spyware in comparison to viruses and worms is that spyware does not self-replicate and so problems do not spread as fast as with viruses.
Spyware does many things such as follow what websites you are visiting then send that information to advertising agencies so they know what kind of pop-ups to send you or in a more vicious manner try to intercept passwords and credit card numbers by watching what you are typing. Luckily, the majority of spyware just launches those annoying pop-ups without doing any real damage other than possibly giving you grey hair from the stress of continually clicking on the little x’s.
These are the top three spyware packages which are infecting computers all over the world. We have listed and described them below so you know where these spyware packages are hiding and how to avoid them. None of the spyware packages provide users a EULA and are generally installed without the knowledge of the user.
CoolWebSearch - this group of programs is effective because it uses an Internet Explorer vulnerability to get onto your computer and then display pop-ups, change search engine results, and change files on the computer to direct your to websites of the advertisers choice.
Internet Optimizer - Internet Optimizer takes advantage of broken links and incorrect URLs on Internet Explorer. Whenever a user clicks on a broken link or inputs an incorrect or non-existent URL, rather than have the regular error page show up Internet Optimizer directs you to a site filled with advertisements.
Zango - These programs simply send information about what sites you are visiting to ad agencies and also create pop-ups that pop-up overtop of competing ads. Often Zango is inadvertently added by computer users because its presented on content sites and users are tricked into thinking they must install Zango’s toolbar before they are able to access the content on the site. Little do they know, once installed Zango will transmit all kinds of personal data about that user.
If you see these types of pages, you should get rid of them as soon as possible. If you collect enough of these programs in your computer, they can seriously degrade your system’s performance, even to the point of disabling your PC entirely! Beyond that, they are annoying and unethical and if we don’t stop allowing them to reside on our computers then these people will continue to get away with these scumbag methods of advertising.
This brings me to how you can get rid of these spyware programs. These programs are sneaky and tough to delete manually from your computer because they hide deep in your computers folder system. That is why I recommend that you use a freeware program you can download online to rid your computer of these pests. There is also premium anti-spyware software you can buy for a small amount which can be more effective than its free counterparts. Premium anti-spyware software is up to date with the latest spyware where is free versions don’t have a dedicated team to follow what new spyware is in the marketplace. Its often the new spywares which can have a serious negative impact on the usability of your computer. I have so much valuable data on my computer. Everything from financial and legal documents to precious pictures of my family and kids. I don’t mind paying $40 to make sure all of my data is truly protected. Here is a list of some free spyware removal programs and premium spyware removal program you can download and run to remove spyware from your computer:
Premium Anti-Spyware and Adware Software (Recommended):
1) No AdWare - NoAdware is one of the best on the market for removing all adware on your computer. It cleans deep within your computers data files and registry files to remove spyware you don’t even know is there. This is the worst spyware because it could be sending sensitive data to unknown sources. Click here to get it now.
2) Spyware Cease - Spyware Cease is a Windows antispyware program that is an excellent way to protect your computer against threat attacks such as Spyware, Adware, Keyloggers, Trojans, Worms, Hijackers, Password Stealers, Tracking Threats, Rogue Antispyware and other Malware attacks! We love this software. Click here to get it now.
Free Anti-Spyware and Adware Software:
1) Spybot, Search and Destroy - This is a free program that will search your entire PC and remove any spyware it finds on your computer.
2) Ad-Aware . This program protects you from adware, a specific kind of spyware.
Users can often get spyware on their computers unknowingly through downloading of many free programs. Many free programs secretly install spyware while you are installing their main program without explicitly receiving your approval. Once the spyware is on your computer it collects about you and your browsing habits and either sends that data back to the main database or shows you ads based on the data its received. Spyware can have different effects on your computer. Some will slow down your computer considerably while others will automatically redirect your browser to various websites. For example if you typed in Vista-Registry-Cleaners.com, and were looking to buy registry cleaning software the spyware might redirect you to a site offering illegal copies of the software.
Here is a list of many common programs that come with spyware secretly attached:
- Messenger Plus only comes with spyware if you agree to their sponsor program
- Dope Wars
- Bonzi Buddy
- Kazaa
- ErrorGuard
- Limewire
- Realplayer
If you have installed any of these programs then I would recommend using one of the recommended free anti-spyware programs to clean your PC.
In 2009, spyware has been recognized as one of the largest security threats facing Windows computers; especially those using Internet Explorer and Firefox. Internet Explorer and Firefox hav been the target of many spyware programs because it is so popular. Many companies who specialize in creating anti-spyware software have teams that work around the clock identifying newly created spyware and adware and creating methods to fully remove them from people’s computers.
There are several common families of spyware. Families is a term used to describe groups of programs that may not perform the same function, but that all install the same spyware with their software.
United States lawmakers have recently introduced a bill in 2005 called the Internet Spyware Prevention Act, which makes it illegal to create spyware programs will imprison those that do.
