Discovering Your Computer's Spyware Infestation.
Mitch Johnson
Internet users are continually surprised at the numerous spyware infected files they find on their computers once they finally hear the advice to run a spyware tool along with anti-virus and firewall protection. Users have been unfortunately unaware about spyware until recently, when the threats have become more prevalent. A computer can be fully secure against viruses intruding but that software will not protect against spyware because the codes are detected differently.
Spyware tracks, records and sends out your computer usage information and some types can log your personal credit, bank account and social security numbers which can result in identity theft. The most benign type of spyware infects and uses the information it finds to target you with advertisements through email and pop up. More dangerous spyware comes in many forms, such as keyloggers, which can detect and log your usernames, passwords, credit card number, etc.
Cookies are capable of tracking you while visiting nearly any web site. They use the information tracked and other sources to find private information about you. Adware is privacy invasive software that tracks your internet usage, downloads, computer habits and more then uses the information to target product specific ads to your computer.
Your computer has become infected with spyware in one or more of many different ways. Some users allow spyware in along with downloads such as music and game freeware. Emails can have spyware attached to it and upon your approval to download the attachment, spyware is installed in your computer. Hackers can find open port in your computer that they use to install spyware, viruses, etc at their whim. Keyloggers and other malicious spyware applications are installed through downloads or physically, often by employers or spouses.
To protect your privacy and computer it is necessary for internet users to find a program that scan and protects specifically against spyware. Anti-virus and firewalls are also necessary protective software but spyware specific programs are needed due to the high number of spyware threats. Spy Sweeper is a good program to start with when scanning your system. Other highly regarded spyware tools are AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both scan your system for spyware and other similar threats and they also have features to help immunize and actively protect your computer from certain defined threats.
About the author: Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as well as spyware scanner, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm
The latest information and news on Spywaredude:
In what appears to be just a bad headline, the business publication says that Microsoft plans to introduce spyware. (It's actually planning free antivirus software)
Court Slams Door On Sale of Spyware (Slashdot)
coondoggie writes "The Federal Trade Commission yesterday had a US District Court issue a temporary restraining order halting the sale of RemoteSpy keylogger spyware. According to the FTC's complaint, RemoteSpy spyware was sold to clients who would then secretly monitor unsuspecting consumers' computers. The defendants provided RemoteSpy clients with detailed instructions explaining how to ...
WOT Releases Extended Protection for Web-Based Email Users (PRWeb)
WOT, Web of Trust, extends the security protection of its popular browser add-on to the top three Internet-based email services -- Google Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. WOT checks links embedded in email and warns users of dangerous websites to help them avoid spyware, spam, phishing, identity theft and other Internet fraud, before they risk clicking. (PRWeb Nov 21, 2008) Read ...
Phisher-besieged PayPal sends users faux log-in page (The Register)
Error.com's missed opportunity PayPal, the online payment service that is a major target of phishers, has been caught sending customer emails that confuse its own login page with a third-party landing site that offers spyware protection and a bevy of other products.?
WOT Releases Extended Protection for Web-Based Email Users (PRWeb via Yahoo! ...
WOT, Web of Trust, extends the security protection of its popular browser add-on to the top three Internet-based email services -- Google Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. WOT checks links embedded in email and warns users of dangerous websites to help them avoid spyware, spam, phishing, identity theft and other Internet fraud, before they risk clicking.
FTC get CyberSpy?s RemoteSpy banned in the U.S. (Geek.com)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been successful in its bid to get the RemoteSpy spyware application released by CyberSpy Software banned in the U.S. For now the ban is temporary, but the FTC are pushing to make it permanent. The ban stems from a complaint (PDF) lodged by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) back [...]
Microsoft to offer free anti-virus software (The Manila Times)
Microsoft has announced plans to offer free anti-virus software to PC users starting next year. The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said the software, code-named "Morro," will "provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."
Commercial vendor of spyware under legal fire (ZDNet)
Just like every decent marketer out there, vendors of commercial malware tools are very good at positioning their tools. However, their pitches often contradict with themselves in a way that what's promoted as a Remote Administration Tool, has in fact built-in antivirus software evading capabilities, rootkit functionality and tutorials on...
Microsoft Will Replace OneCare with Security Software (NewsFactor via Yahoo! ...
Microsoft plans to stop accepting paid subscriptions to Windows Live OneCare in mid-2009. The security software is slated to be replaced by a free offering code-named Morro, which will focus on providing consumer PCs with core protection from viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans and other forms of malware.
Week in review: Yahoo to replace Yang (CNET)
Search giant searches for new CEO, while Microsoft takes its security strategy in a new direction. Also: Sing along with DRM.