Spyware is software that has as its main characteristic an ability to take full or partial control of someone’s computer without the owner’s permission and even without the owner’s knowledge. It sends information about your computer and its resources to outside entities you have never met. It can send information about your internet browsing preferences or habits. It does exactly what its name implies: spies on your computer and ultimately on you. It many times takes the form of a toolbar on an Internet Explorer browser. Only recently have groups concerned about spyware joined together to agree on what spyware is so as to deal with this nuisance on the internet.
Until spyware and adware are tagged with an objective and standard definition, it will be difficult for federal and state lawmakers in the U.S. to introduce legislation to control those who exploit using their adware and spyware. Spyware in essence is a broad term and can refer to things like annoying browser toolbars, software that records your internet browsing, password capturing software, software that captures credit card numbers and other important identifying numbers, software that traps or steals your passwords, and all of us are familiar with the annoying popup advertisements.
What exactly does spyware “spy” on?
Spyware collects information about your activities and resource data on your computer and then sends that information to an outside entity via the internet. That means your history of the web sites you visit can also be sent to an interested entity through spyware. This is usually all part of a targeted marketing effort to find out what interests you and then send advertisements back to you to appeal to that interest. Spyware can be utilized by both legitimate and shady companies to advertise their products and services. The advertisements they send are of course unsolicited and are basically what is known as spam. The advertisements these companies send are delivered via what is known as adware (another type of software) but adware’s impact is not as damaging as spyware—only annoying.
Spyware takes control of your computer and interferes with a user’s control of their privacy, ease of computer use, the system’s resources, computer security, and the type of programs allowed on the computer. Spyware also interferes with a user’s control of sensitive information under their responsibility such as personal information. The Anti-Spyware Coalition consisting of companies like Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Earthlink all agree that spyware removes total control from the user.
There are also some types of spyware that are very malicious once on your computer. These types of spyware do things like make a record of the keys you press on your computer and then send that out to an external entity at the right time. These same types of malicious spyware can figure out credit card numbers or passwords and send them off too. Never forget that any information on your computer whatsoever is fair game for the spyware thief.
What are the origins of that spyware?
It is important to always be very careful of the websites you visit because some of the shady sites will install spyware on your computer and you won’t even know it. Many of these websites will force popup windows to display on your computer with spam messages. One thing you will find most common on these popup ads is that they will entice you to click their button in exchange for something free. Don’t click on that button unless you want to be infected with spyware or other malicious programs. The sobering part of this is that it all is usually undetected by you unless it changes the default page on your web browser or starts sending you a barrage of popup ads.
How does one remove spyware?
You will need to use a computer program specifically designed to remove spyware. These are also known as “anti-spyware’ programs and are similar in nature to anti-virus programs. Popular names of anti-spyware products are: WebRoot Spy Sweeper, SpyBlaster, Windows Defender, and many more. Free versions of anti-spyware are hard to find which makes sense because of the work involved in creating them and keeping them up to date. However there are occasionally some free versions. And just like the anti-virus programs, the anti-spyware must be kept updated as spyware versions are released frequently.
When should I use my anti-spyware software?
Schedule your anti-spyware software to run often. They can be scheduled to run at intervals so you don’t have to remember to do it. Don’t wait until there is a big problem before you take action.
