| Spyware Removal - Keep Your Computer Protected |
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| Internet - Virus and Trojans |
| Written by Susan Reynolds |
| Thursday, 24 December 2009 09:49 |
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You have no doubt heard of the term spyware. You might actually have it on your computer right now, without knowing it. A leading online research company found that 89% of computers connected to the Internet are infected with spyware. Spyware removal has become an industry on its own.
You have no doubt heard of the term spyware. You might actually have it on your computer right now, without knowing it. A leading online research company found that 89% of computers connected to the Internet are infected with spyware. Spyware removal has become an industry on its own. Spyware is software normally installed on a person's computer without his consent. In many cases the purpose might be relatively harmless: to change your Internet home page for example, so that it goes to a different website - either belonging to the creator of the spyware, or to one of his advertisers who pays for this "privilege". Inexplicable pop-ups are a sure sign that you computer might have been affected. Another sign is if your computer becomes very sluggish - when you type there is a lag between what happens on the keyboard and what appears on the screen. You're a prime target to get infected with one of these if you regularly bring a visit to porn sites, sites where you can play online games, peer to peer download sites and 'crack' sites. Free downloads that are the most likely to be affected by spyware are screen savers, 'smileys' and wallpapers. Something that you might now know, is that many times spyware will be installed on your PC or laptop with you unknowingly giving your consent. Somewhere in the small print you give permission to many online email services to read your emails and then show you advertisements related to the content of those emails. A much more serious example of spyware is the so called keystroke logger. This small piece of software monitors every single keystroke on your computer and then sends that information to its owner. Does it sound ominous? Of course. Imagine if someone should install one of these on your computer and it sends your banking user name and password or your tax details to him. Ordinary anti-virus tools do not pick up the majority of spyware and adware. This is because they work differently from the normal computer virus and often embed themselves in the computer's operating system. To remove spyware from your computer, do a search on Google for spyware removal tools. There are many programs you can download for free - beware, however, that the "spyware removal tool" is not actually a spyware installation tool. A good one that we have tested is Advanced System Care. Your first step is to shut down your Internet connection and close your browser. Then scan the computer. If the software picks up adware or spyware, it will first ask before removing it. Unless you don't want a specific program removed at any cost, hit the 'Yes' button to clean up your computer. Spyware removal is by no means a once-off operation. During a regular week of internet surfing you are exposed to enough spyware and adware sites to infiltrate Fort Knox. Scan your computer once a week therefore. About the Author: Want to keep your information and identity safe online? Spyware Removal is needed to make sure you're protected. Get the best Spyware Removal Software today and be safe. |