Learn How To Protect Your Online Privacy

First of all, what is Spyware?

Spyware is generally deceptive software that gathers information about an individual or company without their knowledge or permission. Spyware can extract and record your personal information, like usernames and passwords, record your surfing habits, what sites you have looked at, how long you were there and what you bought.

Scam-artists and some unscrupulous advertisers use spyware to record your financial information, modify your computer, or try to sell you something. Basically, they can record every stroke of your keyboard. Here’s the scenario, you download spyware, (unknowingly of course) which allows someone to gather all the information they want about you and then they pass it on to someone else (generally an advertiser). Yep, it’s a scary world out there.

Spyware goes by many names including; adware, maleware, trackware, scumware, thiefware, snoopware, and sneakware. How did I get spyware on my computer?

Spyware can get installed on your system in many ways, such as when you:

• Download free utilities, toolbars, games, etc.
• Click on misleading pop-ups.
• Open spam email.
• Visit dishonest websites.
• Use file sharing programs.

Many of the free software available for downloading come with spyware secretly lurking in the background.

What are the symptoms of a spyware infection?

• Your web browser’s homepage has been changed to a different website than you had it set to. This situation is called browser hijacking. Our browser was hijacked, you can read our story here.  This problem can be difficult to rectify as your browser may revert back to the spyware homepage every time you restart your computer even though you changed your browser's settings.

• You are having problems with pop-up ads. You may experience the pop-ups while you are online and offline. They may even pop-up when you first turn your computer on. Sometimes the pop-ups aren’t related to the website that you are visiting. Many times these pop-ups are for a product or service that you may find objectionable.

• Your Internet connection is not as fast as it used to be and/or your computer is running slower than normal. Spyware drains your system and can slow down your computer. Spyware can also cause certain programs to crash.

• You get redirected to a different search engine or unrelated website while you are using a search engine.

• Strange, new, pornographic, etc. additions appear in your Bookmarks/Favorites.

• Strange, new toolbars and/or buttons are added to your web browser.

How can I protect myself from Spyware and Adware?

The best way to protect yourself from spyware is to install an anti-sypware program on your computer. You do need to be careful which one you choose, as some anti-spyware programs actually put spyware on your computer. Why… to make money. These unscrupulous companies offer a free scan, place some spyware on your system, and then inform you that you need to buy their software in order to remove the spyware. I’m sure these companies would never admit to this practice but it happens every day.