Consultant

Different threats in the internet world are inevitable. Besides the viruses and spam, program such as Spyware and Adware are becoming more and more accurate. Usually, the problems provoked by this harmful software are overlooked.

Every day, the threats in the internet space are becoming bigger and bigger problem for the regular users as well as for the companies. Besides having to think about protection from different viruses, they also have to consider the threat from Spyware and Adware. Usually the problems provoked by the threatening software are overlooked because the main focus is still kept on the viruses.

But what exactly is Spyware and Adware?

Adware is software that allows different advertisements to pop up on your computer. Usually, it is automatically included with a free program that you download from the Internet. The program is free for you, but someone pays for it and incorporates Adware into the program I order to show advertisements for their products or services.

Spyware is a similar program, but its main function is to collect information from you as a user such as what websites you visit most frequently. It collects the information and gives it out without your knowledge or consent. The biggest threat is that usernames and passwords could also be collected by the software and you absolutely don’t want your personal information to be given out.

Most of the time the collected information is utilized by different companies so that they send you the advertisements and offers you would most likely catch your eye. These advertisements automatically start up when your operating system starts working, which slows down your computer. Even worse, as a result of the multiple advertisements that constantly pop up on your computer your browser may practically stop working.

Some types of spyware change your internet set up options so that when you use dial-up to access the internet, for example, your modem would dial expensive telephone numbers from other countries. Another type of spyware, called keylogger, tracks every pressed button on your keyboard in order to steal your passwords.

How to find out if your computer has been visited by an unwanted “guest”

If spyware or adware have accessed your computer somehow, you will most likely observe some unpleasant effects. For example, different advertisements could pop up on your computer or your homepage could be changed to a different one that is completely unknown to you. Another symptom of such unwanted “guests” is a new toolbar or obvious delays when your system tries to process information.

If you detect such symptoms, you would have to utilize one of the programs for spyware and/or adware detection and removal.Some of the antivirus programs such as the new versions of Norton and McAfee have the ability to detect spyware and adware.

After you download and install the program, the first thing you have to do is to update it. The second step is to start up operation “scanning of the system”. After you are done with the examination of the computer for spyware and adware, there would most likely be a list with detected problems. Keep in mind that if you remove the adware component of one of your programs, it may just stop functioning as a whole. So if you decide that you need the program and the constant popping up of its ads doesn’t bother you, leave the adware component. It is a good idea to redo the scanning again after you have done it once just to make sure that no spyware or adware is left in your computer.

Symptoms of adware and spyware

• Different ads and notifications pop up on your computer
• Obvious slowing down of the computer and/or more frequent delays in the operating system
• The homepage of your internet is changed and leads to undesired website
• You notice a sudden appearance of a new toolbar

Here are a few suggestions on how to prevent the appearance of new spyware and adware in your computer again:

• Be careful about what kind of programs you install in your computer. Before you install something, make sure it does not have adware already attached to it.
• Use a program that blocks pop ups because some spyware can get activated by simply clicking on the pop up. For this reason, use Google Toolbar, for example, but if you do not want to install such toolbars remember this: no matter what button on the pop up you click on (Yes, No, or even Cancel), the spyware is going to install itself on your computer. To avoid this, when a pop up appears on your desktop simply click the X on its upper right corner to Close it.

If you follow these rules it is almost certain that you can secure your computer from spyware and adware. Also, be sure to use anti-spyware programs frequently so that if there is something you can detect it soon and remove it from your compute.