|
Serving Western North Carolina since 1990 |
|
PCC @ your Service |
|
Spyware (aka Adware) will top viruses and hacking as the top security concern for 2005. These programs can completely destroy an operating system if left unchecked. They can send private information to unscrupulous companies or individuals without the user’s knowledge. Many people are not even aware that they have Spyware on their system. Some of the more common symptoms of spyware include a general slowness of the computer and excessive pop-up ads. Other signs include Internet Explorer search bars and unexplained icons on your desktop. Spyware is similar to viruses in that they are both unwanted programs that negatively affect your system. There are, however some differences between the programs. Viruses, by definition, replicate themselves. They use your computer to spread themselves to other computers. Spyware monitors your computer activity and sends the gathered information back to the author of the spyware program. People usually contract spyware by installing a “free” utility or program that contains spyware. Search Bars and Weather Programs are examples of the types of programs that may contain spyware. Companies will write software that they hope people will download and install. They offer this software for free. As part of the license agreement, (the legal information that nobody reads) you agree for the company to collect information about your web surfing habits and to supply you with advertisements. We generally use two different products to remove spyware from systems. Adaware and Spybot both have free versions available for download. These products attack spyware using different methods. Adaware scans all files on your hard drive for signs of spyware. Spybot scans through a list of known spyware programs and looks for signs of these on your system. Each program is better than the other at removing specific spyware programs. We have provided links to both of these programs on this page. You can download the free versions from these sites. After download, you can install and update these programs. Just like antivirus programs, these programs must constantly be updated against new threats. After updating, you can scan your system and remove the unwanted spyware. |
|
Use Free Software to rid your Computer of Spyware |
|
Spyware is Top Security Concern for 2005 |
|
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 28, 2005 |
|
To remove your name from our mailing list, please click here. Questions or comments? E-mail us at tims@pcc-tech.com or call 828-628-0440 |
