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Titled: Spyware - A Threat to Your Privacy!
Spyware - A Threat to Your Privacy!
Article Summary: Do you know what spyware is all about?
Do you know what spyware is all about? Well, I can assure you if you enjoy downloading anything for free off the internetbrace yourself, because you probably have a few these malicious programs crawling through your PC this very moment.
Spyware does not concern itself with etiquette of asking for your permission. It simply just invades with much evil intent with no respect for your privacy, and the Internet is its pathway to your computer.
A favorite trick is to install spyware when you are installing another program. Generally spyware comes from free programs offered on the Internet. These free programs are called freeware, or shareware. Technically, the spyware company has your permission, although the legal issues are not clear.
After you download your much anticipated free program, you click the installation icon. Then there is a license agreement that stands in the way of your enjoyment. So of course, just like me, you quickly select the I Agree button. And this is what makes these spyware programs legal.
Usually spyware either displays advertising or it tracks what you are doing. Ever notice pop up windows suddenly appears on your computer? This is from spyware trying to get you to buy something. Other spyware tracks everything you are doing online and transmits the information to an advertising company.
Then there are the true spyware villains that gather email addresses and passwords off your PC and either use them or sell your personal information to the highest bidder of the underground Internet world.
Do I Have Spyware?
Here are some signs of spyware:
1) Pop ups even when you are not browsing the Internet
2) Toolbars and/or icons appear on your browser or desktop out of nowhere
3) Web browsing seems slower and your PC appears to have inherited a turtle gene
4) Your browser seems to enjoy visiting commercial sites without your permission
5) The settings on your browser change unexpectedly
6) Advertisement windows are everywhere
If you have any of these issues, seek help quickly.
I dont want to seek any help, what can I do?
1) Get a reputable firewall program for your PC. If you have a Windows computer that was built within the last five years, then there is already a firewall built-in. Just make sure it is not disabled. Also virus protection software have firewalls integrated into the application.
2) The more you click, the more you receive. If you click on pop ups, you are basically saying I am real person that find your spyware application very useful.
3) Stop downloading free porn, games and videos. If its free, its probably a trick! If you must considering downloading freeware, read the license agreements.
4) Keep your Windows and Browser up to date. Microsoft offers free security updates. Make sure that you update regularly.
5) Use a quality anti-spyware program.
Watch out for antispyware scams. These programs perpetrate themselves as legitimate software, but they are simply spyware programs. Needless to say, research to proactively guard yourself from scams such as this.
Allow the antispyware program to run on a scheduled basis, like every night when you are not usually on the computer.
Article Source: http://www.upublish.info
About the Author:
Isaiah Henry
At RemoveSpywareandAdware.com, we are honored to have Isaiah Henry as researcher on how to remove spyware without any antispyware. He has written on the likes of XoftSpySE. Visit RemoveSpywareandAdware.com for free information.
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