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Spyware Slowing You Down?

What is Spyware?

Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs certain behaviors, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first, such as:

* Advertising
* Collecting personal information
* Changing the configuration of your computer

Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information.

That does not mean all software that provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but you "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads. If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair tradeoff. You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.

Within recent years, spyware has become more pervasive, especially among users of Microsoft Windows operating system and the Internet Explorer browser. Users of these products are more susceptible to spyware infection because of the seamless integration between the two products—features within Internet Explorer allow Internet applications to access vital parts of the Windows operating system. This link between the Internet browser and system components provides an opening for privacy-invasive, internet-based software to manipulate system settings and the user experience for its own benefit.

One of the features within Internet Explorer that spyware takes advantage of is Active X. While it is useful for creating an enhanced user experience, it is also dangerous because it allows websites and web-based applications the privileges to perform functions similar to stand-alone, executable applications. Often what will happen is up visiting a questionable site, and a pop-up will ask the user whether they trust the site and its contents. If the user is unsure, but accepts in order to proceed, a spyware package will be downloaded and automatically installed.

What spyware does?

Other kinds of spyware make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer slow down or crash.

These programs can change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them.

Spyware can be disguised in many forms in order to lure victims into initially accepting their requests. Some will claim that the users system is out of date, or that they are missing out on a crucial feature, or even that they are being exposed to spyware. These claims are usually completely false, and are only indented to entice the user enough to accept their offer. Under these false pretenses, users inadvertently invite monitoring software that tracks their Internet browsing activity, shopping habits, and even banking information.

This type of information on browsing behavior is very valuable to marketing and advertising companies. So, while spyware victims suffer from sluggish systems and annoying adverts, attackers are making top-dollar tracking, monitoring and selling their private information.

Know what you're installing

The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.

There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your computer. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program.

Whenever you install something on your computer, make sure you carefully read all disclosures, including the license agreement and privacy statement. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it might appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.

Types of downloads that may contain spyware:

 • Free games downloaded from the Internet

• Music, movies, and other software file-sharing programs downloaded from the Internet or from other computers

• Animated characters for your desktop

• Free screen savers downloaded from the Internet

• Toolbars for your Internet browser

• Free pop-up blockers that appear on your computer when you are online

Many kinds of unwanted software, including spyware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall this software like any other program, you might find that the program reappears as soon as you restart your computer. If you're having trouble uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to download a tool to do the job for you. Several companies offer free software that will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted software and help you remove it.  Here are several links to some of the better ones:

AVG 8.5 (All Products Now Include Spyware Protection)

*Malwarebytes

*SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY

*AD-AWARE SE

*MICROSOFT WINDOWS DEFENDER

*Malicious Software Removal Tool

* Please note that the links to software on this page are provided as is and at your own risk.  Country  I Link can not be held liable for any software that you install from the above links, nor do we provide any technical support on the above mentioned software programs.  Please contact support directly from the manufacturer's website.

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