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Spyware and adware guide

18 Dec 2007
 by Cristina Mailat | in: Security

9 out 10 computers are infected with spyware, also known as adware, scumware, malware and many others. To fight against spyware, install security patches; avoid downloading and using freeware and disable ActiveX downloads.

Spam email is costing you big money; you must stop all spam. Did you know that someone may be spying on you right now? Some hijacker may watch everything you do on your computer, tracking what sites you visit, where you shop on-line, and possibly even reading your personal documents and email.

Is spyware Science Fiction?

It sounds horrible, like something out of science fiction. Spyware is a huge infringement of your privacy, but sis you also know that some of it is more sinister; able to steal your credit card details and trash most valuable data.

Is your computer getting more and more sluggish? Do pop-ups advertisements seem to appear out of nowhere? You have spyware or / and adware on your computer. Using the internet, there is a 90% chance that your computer is infected with spyware.

Spyware applications are small programs that allow hackers and even advertising companies to track and record every move, even when your offline. It allows individuals and companies to track the websites you visit, the emails you send, the purchases you make, and even capture your credit card numbers and passwords.

Adware are small programs, that when installed on your computer, can allow advertisers to send you popup ads. In addition to advertisements, adware can change things like your home page, ad a toolbar to your browser, create bookmarks in your favorites.Double the speed of your computer with Ad-Aware from Lavasoft! Stop your privacy invasion using it.

Here are some spyware threats:

  • PurtyScan: claims to find and delete pornographic images
  • Gator: displays banner ads; it is usually bundled with the Kazaa file-sharing program, and other free software programs
  • CoolWebSearch: hijack home page, and web searches
  • N-CASE: adware program that delivers targeted popup adds. It is usually bundled with freeware
  • Transponder: monitors sites visited and any data entered into online forms, and then delivers targeted ads
  • ISTbar/AUpdate: spyware posing as a toolbar. Displays porn, pop-ups, hijack homepage and internet searches
  • Keen Value: an adware program that collects personal information and delivers advertisements
  • Internet Optimizer: hijacks error pages and redirects them to its own site
  • Perfect Keylogger: records all keystrokes (including personal information, passwords, etc), clicks and web sites visited.
  • TIBS Dialer: hijacks phone modem and redirects to pornography pay by minute phone sites.

You may have loaded spyware unwittingly, by installing freeware or shareware. If you have started receiving junk email from people or companies you have never heard of, or if annoying pop-ups appear when you are browsing the web then there is a fairly good chance that you have spyware on your computer.

Are you comfortable with the idea that people are watching what sites you visit on the web, looking through your documents and email, or logging your credit details and selling this information on to other parties?

Fortunately, you are not alone: Ad-Aware is here to eliminate spyware and adware from your computer. It helps you to keep your internet activity private; scan your complete system including registry, or just a single folder, stop spyware from being downloaded when you surf the web, and the most important, removes spyware and other insidious programs.

Ad-Aware is known for delivering the most up-too-date antispyware technology to corporate and home users. Our spyware detection and removal functions are among the best. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves internet browsing safety by guarding over fifty ways spyware can enter your PC.

Antivirus programs are not enough to protect your computer and your privacy; they not prevent you from being infected with spyware and adware.To efficiently prevent a spyware and adware infection, you must install specific software to protect against this threat.

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