A Common Computer Question Answered - What Is Spyware?

By: Jack Mason

You have probably heard of spyware before, but it isn't a term that many people know it's meaning. We all know it's a bad thing, but it's important you understand what spyware is and why it has gotten such a bad rap.

When you hear the term spyware, it is refering to programs or software that gets installed on your computer without your knowledge. These programs can cause all sorts of problems on your system - here are a few examples:

1) Sniff out personal data and pass it on to the programmer of the spyware. There have been many cases where even financial data have been compromised.

2) Install various programs to your computer without your authorization. These programs have no use to you but usually will let someone else monitor what you are doing online. This is one of the biggest reasons computers start to "slow down".

3) Automatically make your web browser take you to websites that have other harmful files such as viruses or other forms of spyware.

4) Sneak in and change your computer's settings so that your computer is vulnerable to other attacks or infections.

In short, Spyware is nothing but 'nuisanceware'!

Spyware is also notorious for slowing down your computer's performance and creating all sorts of pop-ups or annoying ads when you are online.

How does Spyware get into a computer?

It can be difficult to trace back exactly where spyware comes from, but here are some examples of how it can find its way onto your computer:

1) Shareware that offers downloads for music or movies. These programs are famous for installing spyware on your computer without you ever knowing.

2) Many programs that you download will come with spyware when you install them. These are usually "utility" type programs that offer some type of benefit - some examples are "toolbars" or foreign exchange rate calculators.

3) One of the trickiest ways that spyware will make its way on your computer is by immitating your operating system's regular messages.

For example, if you are using MS Windows, the Spyware manufacturer may develop a pop-up that looks exactly like a message from Microsoft. When you are browsing, this pop-up may entice you to click on it - and when you do that - presto; you've just opened the doors for the Spyware.

How can you tell if there's Spyware on your computer?

Most people will start to notice their computer starts to slow down and they may also get more advertisements popup when they are browsing. Spyware is famous for making computers run a little "sluggish" - this is one of the first signs that your computer is infected.

Apart from the slowing down factor, you cannot really tell if there's Spyware installed on your system. Many people will just assume something is wrong with the computer hardware when their system slows down, however spyware is often the cause.

You have to take the right steps to kill Spyware now!

If you suspect computer is infected by Spyware, you have to move immediately and get it removed before it causes any more damage. There is Spyware in every nook and corner of the Internet, and chances are your computer is already host to several Spyware programs unless a quality anti-Spyware program is protecting your system.

Look for a spyware remover that has received positive reviews and that can remove any spyware that is already on your system (along with protecting against new infections). You want a program that scans your computer for any current spyware, kills off anything it finds and then provides protection against future spyware.

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Click Here to discover how to run a free scan using the top-ranked spyware remover. You can also read spyware reviews to discover which program is best suited for your system.

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