Spyware
Spyware are programs that, when installed on your computer, change settings,
display advertising, and/or track Internet behavior and report information
back to a central database. Spyware is sometimes installed unintentionally
by users along with other wanted software, and can be very hard to remove.
Also known as malware.
How Did Spyware
Get on My Computer?
The hardest part about getting rid of Spyware isn’t just how long
it’s been on your computer, but how it got there in the first
place. Spyware attaches itself to your computer when you casually surf
online. Before something can be installed on your computer you first
have to click on or open a program. Here are some common ways that Spyware
will get on your computer:
- Clicking on
deceptive popups
- Downloading free
utilities, games, media players, toolbars, etc.
- File Sharing
Programs, such as Kazaa, BearShare, eDonkey and more...
- Opening spam
email
- Software Applications
- Visiting corrupt
Web sites
While most of the
content you find on the internet is safe to view, a lot of freebee and
even store bought software comes bundled with Spyware that you don’t
even know about.
How Do I get rid
of Spyware?
1. Set your security
settings to a default or higher level
2. Be careful what you download
3. Keep current on operating system updates
4. Installing an anti-spyware program on your computer
Anti-Spyware programs
will locate, quaratine and delete spyware that your computer unwittingly
accepts. Because new methods of contaminating your computer with spyware
are constantly being developed, consider installing software that you
can continue to update.
So, which anti-spyware
programs should you install? We recommend installing any of the following
programs: Microsoft Anit-Spyware, Spybot: Search and Destroy or Ad-Aware.
Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware program is setup to run automatically.
It will check for updates each time you’re connected to the internet
as well as scan your computer each night. The other two programs will
need to be updated and scanned manually, but are just as effective.
You can find these programs on our download sections by click here.
There are also programs
that can be purchased. TopTenReviews website has recommendations on
the Top Ten spyware programs that are available for puchase to help
get rid Spyware and prevent it from getting on your machine. You can
see these recommendations online by going to: http://anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/
If you have any
more questions about Spyware, please call our Customer Support Dept.
for further assistance.
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