What is Spyware and Adware?
These are often referred to as malware, which means bad software. Spyware can come packaged with programs that are offered as free, but not all Free Software is bad.
Spyware is frequently downloaded through an ActiveX plug-in that makes it easier for web applications to interact with your desktop applications. Which is really bad if your computer was never secured in the first place!
A good idea would be to read the fine print in the EULA (End User License Agreement.) It makes you think, what else are these programs doing that is not apparent to you?
How does spyware get onto my computer?
Spyware that delivers pop-up ads often comes hidden in free software downloads, such as games or browser plug-ins or toolbars. The makers of the software generally contract with advertisers to include a program in the download to feed you ads or give the advertiser information about you, such as which sites you visit.
The programs can also download automatically to your computer through websites you visit. Generally, you have to do something to install the program on your machine, but that something can be as simple as clicking a button that says "Close" to shut a pop-up window. This can activate an ActiveX control that installs the spyware on your machine.
How will I know if I have spyware on my machine?
You might notice an unusual number of pop-ups appearing on your screen, even when you don't go to the kinds of sites that generally deliver lots of pop-ups, such as gambling and porn sites. If pop-ups appear on your screen when you're offline, your computer is probably infected. Or you may find your browser homepage has mysteriously changed.
What does spyware do once it's on my computer?
Spyware installs itself and works behind the scenes. The least invasive, though no less intrusive, spyware simply delivers pop-up ads on top of your browser window while you surf. The more sinister ones hijack your browser and may change your homepage to an advertiser's page or track the sites you visit and send the information to an intruder. Spyware apps can also hog your computer's resources, such as the memory and hard drive, or cause your browser or computer to lock up or crash. Keystroke-logging spyware can capture passwords and credit card information to send to identity thieves and card criminals.
What is Adware?
Adware can be included in Spyware. The classic description of Adware is a program that displays advertising ONLY inside its' own program window while the program is running.
The classic sort of adware is not really a bad thing, consider some versions of the freeware mail program Eudora. Eudora is an excellent program that would display unobtrusive ads within the program window only while Eudora was running. Another example is the older free versions of the Opera browser which display 1 banner or a banner sized text advertisement. Both very good programs that gave away the full version of their commercial software for just a little bit of your screen space! This classic practice is still going on today with many software developers. Opera, has switched to giving away thier fine browser for free! Currently Eudora offers a lighter version of it's mail program totally for free and without advertising!
However, that advertising method probably proved unsuccessful for some, and the marketing geniuses had to come up with a more agressive campaign. Modern Adware marketing has grown to include intrusive techniques such as Pop-Up and Pop-Under Advertising, Full screen Advertisements and finally Spyware infection which will watch what you do and where you go on the internet so it can custom-tailor a marketing scheme tuned to your surfing habits. If it can do all this, what else is it doing?
What else should I be looking out for?
First and foremost, you need to make sure that your connection to the internet is secure. Our routers will do just that. They have a built in 4 port switch which allows you to connect upto 4 home computers to one Internet connection without paying your Broadband ISP an extra dime! The router protects your home computer(s) by hiding their existence on the Internet, intruders cannot get to your PC if they don't know it's there. Furthermore, the router itself will not expose itself to an Intruder, it will not respond in any way to an intruder's query.
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