CCAutoSoft

January 5th, 2007 by CCAuto

Spyware is software or hardware installed on a computer

without a user’s knowledge. It gathers information and

reports it back to its source. It ties up bandwidth, slows

down CPU speed and generally is a nuisance.

In its more malicious forms, it can disrupt the PC so much

that it is unusable; it can run up modem bills, it can spam

or send copies of itself to everyone in your address book

and it can download pornographic material to your PC.

The last is probably the one most likely to make everyone

stand up and take notice. Downloading porn at the office

can get you fired, downloading child porn anywhere can get

you arrested.

The only way to keep these and all the other problems

associated with spyware from infecting your life and

disrupting your activities is prevention. As the old

saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of

cure.

There are numerous programs available (both for free and

for pay) that offer protection from spyware and its related

cohorts. Most free programs remove spyware that’s already

been downloaded and installed to your machine, such as Ad-

Aware, one of the first original anti-spyware programs.

The free version requires that you scan to capture and

remove spyware. The pay for version includes a real-time

scanner that actually prevents spyware from downloading or

installing itself.

There are numerous other products on the market, but don’t

be taken in by their pronouncements of being anti-spyware.

Be wary, a few of the free programs are just spyware

themselves.

Security for your PC at the home includes using up-to-date

virus software, installing an effective firewall, employing

reputable anti-spyware tools, making sure all patches and

being sure to install all updates for the operating system.

The best thing to do is to avoid risky online behavior or

the downloading of every free offer that literally “pops

up”.

Never download anything from an unknown source. A lot of

home PC users can find their machines besieged by problems

because they downloaded something they weren’t sure about

or just assumed was safe. Don’t assume, be sure. You can

even check security settings for different websites you

visit. Be sure what you’re downloading is from a reputable

source.

You wouldn’t invite just anyone who knocked on your door

into your house; you shouldn’t let any file or program into

your computer. Spyware at its best is a nuisance, and a

potentially dangerous and damaging element that can cost

you real time, and worse of all, money.

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Discover all you ever wanted to know about spyware. Latest

discovery methods, latest incoculation treatments, latest

removal techniques. Click for useful info and daily

updated blog of spyware news and articles.

http://www.spyware-revealed.com/anti-spyware.html

–About–

Tom Jenson has worked in software development for 20 years. He’s seen spyware develop from an occasional problem, to a daily, hourly threat to all pc’s. He made it a mission to research these threats, and work out how best to combat them. Now this series of article helps others protect their computers too.

Source: ArticleTrader.com