Free Spyware Software

If this is you, then you are either a security expert or extremely lucky! Unfortunately, it is becoming all too easy nowadays to get infected by spyware and malware. In fact, at any one time, around 90% of computers are infected with some form of rogue program, be it spyware, malware or adware. It is the single most common problem that support staff to the end user and businesses, have to deal with. These spyware programs can have lots of often devastating, effects on your computer, ranging from pornographic popups, to complete identity theft. Some of the nastier infections including programs that often say they will rid you of spyware (AND their rogue program) for a fee! Not only are these programs annoying, but they can slow your computer, destroy important information, render your computer completely useless and in extreme cases, lead to your identity being used to run up incredible debts in YOUR name!

Of course, the most important thing to do would be to protect yourself from ever getting these kinds of spyware nasties in the first place, There are a lot of freely available programs already available. A firewall, antivirus program and some spyware/adware checking program should be the FIRST things you install on your computer before venturing anywhere further on the internet. Of course, this advice could already be too late for you….

In this case I would recommend using some of the free resources available. One very good source of such information is the many forums and communities set up to defeat these programs from gaining any foothold in the ever increasing internet user list. Forums, such as that found at http://forum.securitycadets.com, have been set up to freely help those that have spyware/adware etc on their computer and want expert advice on removal, safely and cleanly. These people are experts in their field and dedicate themselves entirely for free, to help those that are maybe not so ‘aware’ about rogue programs. You can use the freely available tools and programs they recommend (all checked, all approved, all SAFE) to run scans, diagnostics and clean anything untoward from your computer. These people were often once victims themselves, and are determined to help others from falling foul as well.

They will also assist you in securing your computer for the future to prevent reinfection. These forums and their volunteers are also one of the best places to find out about any new rogue programs that you should be aware of.

In conclusion, if you are an internet novice, or even a computer expert, forums such as SecurityCadets.com are a one-stop place for all security related programs, advice, help and news that every internet user should be aware of. And somewhere you should bookmark now, in case you should be ‘unlucky’ enough to need their help, advice and support one day!

[I go by the name AndyAtHull and are unemployed currently. I own my own security site http://www.securitycadets.com and for http://forum.securitycadets.com for users to come for FREE help]

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Spyware is programming that is put in someone’s computer to secretly gather information about the user and send them to interested persons. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program. Most often this information is a record of a victim’s ongoing browsing habits, downloads, or it could be more personal data like the victim’s name and address Spyware is part of an overall public concern about privacy on the Internet

What is adware?
Spyware that serves personalized advertisements is called adware. It is also known as malware or scumware.
Malware is an abbreviation used to describe a “malicious software” program. Malware includes things like spyware or adware programs, such as tracking cookies, which are used to monitor a victim’s surfing habits. It also includes more sinister items, such as keyloggers, Trojan horses, worms, and viruses. These are mainly used in cases of identity theft.

A keylogger is a program that logs every keystroke the victim makes and then sends that information, including things like passwords, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers to the person who is trying to spy that victim.

A Trojan horse is program that sends the personal information of from the victim’s computer to another computer.

Viruses are similar to Trojan horses. The difference is viruses are attached to other programs whereas Trojan Horses are independent programs. Viruses are deliberately designed to interfere with computer operation, record, corrupt, or delete data, or spread themselves to other computers and throughout the Internet

Symptoms of Spyware infection
The victim’s computer may show any of the following symptoms that are indicative of a spyware infection.
* Computer programs run very slowly
* Unwanted search engine handling the search
* Unwanted website opens while browsing for some other site
* Offline pop up ads
* Sites appearing repeatedly even after clicking the home button

How to tackle Spywares and adwares?
It is estimated that 90% of all computers on the Internet are infected with spyware.
Spywares can sometimes disrupt or damage the victim’s computer. They may collect the personal information of the victim and his identity may be stolen. Anti viruses softwares are useful in safeguarding against these threats. But they should be regularly updated. But these anti virus softwares do not give protection against Trojan horses and spywares. In these instances the best thing to do is to use both an antivirus software and an anti adware software. Along with these firewall software should be installed to prevent personal identity theft.

Educate yourself about Spyware, adware and malware, and other unbiased home PC security topics on Independent-views.com.

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A spyware is a software that collects information from a computer with internet connection without the owner’s knowledge and relays it to another person. The action of spywares is just watching, observing, and collecting. Though most of the times it is done for advertising purposes, some times they are used with malicious intentions. These spywares usually come as hidden components of freeware programs.

The victims of spywares are usually caught unaware. He or she may not know that a malicious software has been installed in their computer without their knowledge and which keeps tracking their vital information. In this modern era of cyber crime where hackers create havoc, it is necessary to know whether our computer is being installed with any spyware with out our knowledge. But of course many software come with the licensing agreement that a spyware will be installed along with the main software.

The spyware usually enters the computer when the user installs some software. The recent mode of entry of the spyware is in the form of “Rogue antispyware” programs. These are projected as security software whereas in reality they cause damage to the computer.

Signs and symptoms of Spyware infection

Spyware never remains an aloof destroyer. More and more spywares get accumulated causing the unwanted effects. The cumulative effect, and the interactions between the different spyware components, causes the stereotypical symptoms as reported by the users. Some of the signs and symptoms that are helpful to know that a computer is infected with spywares are

Frequent unwanted computer activity

Deterioration of the performance of the computer

Exhaustion of memory resources

Slowing down of the computer

Crashing of the computer

Difficulty in getting an internet connection

Pop up ads on a regular basis

Pop up ads even when the user is working offline

Opening up of an unwanted website while the user tries to log on to some particular website

Computer dialing up numbers automatically without the knowledge of the user which is realized only when he gets the phone bill

Unwanted and unexpected search engine doing the search while the user wants to search something using a search engine of his choice

Popping up of websites incessantly while the user tries to log out

Pop up ads and unsolicited emails with the name of the user

Once the user sees any of these symptoms he should realize that his computer is infected with spywares and should take steps immediately to protect his computer before the computer gets infected very badly.

Markus writes and publishes articles about spyware, adware and PC safety, and other unbiased health related topics on Independent-views.com.

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