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Spyware is the software that collects information about your online activities
and preferences. The information is then sent to another computer with the intention
of selling it to online advertisers.
Spyware and adware can enter your computer through e-mail, downloads or instant
messaging. This is a frightening prospect for anyone, who uses the net frequently
or constantly downloads products and services online. It is upsetting to think,
that someone may be watching your every move, when you are online.
What is Adware?
Adware is software that displays advertisements like banners and pop-ups on
your computer. It may also track the preferences of the user without his knowledge.
If ad ware keeps building up, on your computer, you may face a deluge of pop-ups,
banners and search tool bars, making it difficult for you to work.
Adware infection may change your homepage repeatedly. Mysterious toolbars may
appear on your browser. Your computer may run at a noticeably slower speed or
there may be other mysterious changes on your computer.
What Are The Signs Of Spyware?
If your computer shows any of the following symptoms, spyware or some other
malicious software may have infected it:
* Spyware and other malicious software may add additional toolbars to your
browser, which you don't want. Even, if you delete them, they will appear again,
each time you restart your computer.
* Pop-up advertisements may appear whenever the computer is turned on, even
when you are not online. Some of them may be for adult or other objectionable
sites.
* The computer's settings may change mysteriously. Even if the user changes
the settings back to the earlier settings, they may revert repeatedly to the
new settings. Malicious software may change your homepage or search page settings.
* Spyware and other malicious software are not designed to be efficient. The
process of watching a user's activities and displaying advertisements may noticeably
slow down, the functioning of a computer or even makes it crash.
If spy ware or ad ware infects your computer, don't despair. You can use any
of the free or paid spy ware or ad ware elimination software products, available
to detect and eliminate them.
About the Author:
Philippa Smith runs a home business in los angeles. The constant attacks on
here computer caused her to learn all about spyware & viruses, and how to
deal with them. |
