Beware of Spyware

You may have heard about the infamous spyware, but do you really know what it does and how to get rid of it? Spyware is a type of software that gets installed on your computer, usually without your knowledge. Spyware slowly collects small pieces of information about what is happening on your computer. It spies on your email content and your web surfing, recording your internet usage and possibly storing your personal information, including financial information and passwords.

A form of spyware can also be called adware. It uses the information it collects to determine your preferences and show you ads that you are likely to be interested in. For example, if you are emailing your friends about getting a new car and then you spend some time searching for new cars online, the adware will can start showing you ads for new cars, car financing or car insurance.

Some of the more dangerous spyware acts like a computer virus, installing additional spyware programs and controlling your computer without your knowledge or consent. It can compromise the security of your computer and cause performance issues.

How Did Spyware Get On My Computer?

Have you ever seen an ad for a free screensaver or maybe you’ve downloaded a program that gives you free coupons. But you know that things are rarely ‘free’, right? Most often, this is just a way to get you to willingly download spyware onto your computer.

You know before you download something when you’re presented with a long, wordy licensing agreement? Do you click ‘accept’ without really reading it? You may be authorizing that software to download dangerous spyware onto your computer. Just know what you’re getting into. Maybe you’re okay with getting pop ups if you’re also getting access to free online games. It could be a fair trade off. But before you download anything, make sure read the fine print first.

How Do I Get Rid Of Spyware?

There are a couple different ways you can remove spyware.

First, if you know what you downloaded, you can find it on your hard drive and delete it. Sometimes this will happen if you intentionally download something because it’s free (like music, games or images), but you know that other programs are being downloaded with it. Maybe you took the time to read the licensing agreement and you actually know what the spyware program is called. If so, you can locate and remove it from your hard drive. For example, if you’re on a PC, you can go to your Control Panel and select ‘Add or Remove Programs’ to find the program and then delete it. Many spyware programs will then be deleted and won’t bother you again.

However, if you don’t really know what you downloaded or if you’ve downloaded a more complex form of spyware, you may need professional help. Some spyware has the ability to repair deleted files and continue to infest your computer long after you think it’s gone. If you think you may have this problem, it is best to use spyware removal software. This software will go in and find any spyware programs on your computer (maybe even in places that you would never know to look) and delete them forever.

By identifying spyware on your computer and removing it you will be protecting your privacy, your personal information and possibly your private financial information. You’ll also be removing programs that will make your system slow and sluggish. But of course the best way to keep spyware from hurting your computer is by never downloading it at all. Resist the urge to get the free screensaver. Your computer will thank you.