Privacy and Security
Spyware

Spyware is the name given to snippets of code that are capable of tracking your internet and computing activities, and doing an E.T. by 'phoning home' with all the saved data.
Originating from Adware, which was intended to be a means of a person getting access to a computer programme for free, and agree to the author making money by sending a few advertising e-mails, but it has become such big business that they now use sophisticated programmes to gather and analyze information about you and your surfing habits.
Some also use very questionable methods of getting their software into your computer and can be, by design difficult to detect and remove and although some companies use legal technicalities, the term spyware is now more appropriate.

Spyware is often hidden behind free games, software. music, films, applications, programmes, even fake spyware scanners are used as a cover to get spyware into your computer.  There also been an alarming increase in the 'loaded web sites' or pop ups infecting computers.

A multi-million pound industry has been created, many companies promote themselves as Marketing solutions, make their money by

1) Delivering pop up advertisements that appear to be connected to the web page you are viewing, although some will show ads even when you are offline. They can be targeted to match your preferences and lifestyle, gained from the information they have gathered about you.

2) Selling your information to other Marketing companies.

The more computers they infect, the more advertisements they can show and the more money they make. The problem is, they show no regard to the level of disruption, interference and annoyance they cause their customers, or maybe the term 'victims' is more appropriate.

Most infections will result in nothing more than a high number of pop up advertisements or advertising emails,
The more questionable ones can -

Record the letters you type on your keyboard (keystrokes), including your passwords and credit card numbers, some create a screen shot so the author can see what you were filling in at the time

Change your computers configuration and prevent or block attempts to undo the changes.

Redirect search results to their commission earning advertisements, even display them in a copy or spoof of reputable search engines like Google or Yahoo.

Hijack your homepage and prevent you changing it.

Replace or insert advertising banners on a web page.

Redirect links to generate or steal commissions.

Some Spyware programmers are constantly seeking new ways of preventing their software being detected and removed, often hiding the programme deep in the operating system,
More recently, they have taken on the appearance and characteristics of a Trojan. Some are capable of re-installing themselves or causing damage to the computers operating system if removed.

Symptoms of a computer infected with spyware include-

Regular pop up advertisements during surfing

Pop up advertisements are delivered whilst offline

Your firewall detects an unknown programme or application regularly trying to access the internet

You receive a large amount of advertising e-mails from one or two sources.

A slower internet connection

Search enquiries are redirected to strange sites

Reduced PC performance

Homepage changed

Add a toolbar to your browser or extra buttons a toolbar.

Add items to your favourites list or icons to your desktop.

Scan your computer with a reputable software programme that will find and remove them. Once you have a programme installed, you should keep it updated and scan regularly to keep your machine clean.

There are some free versions with some facilities disabled, but if you are serious about your privacy I would recommend buying the full version for maximum protection.

Such is the scope of spyware, it is nonsense to expect a single scanner to detect all forms of spyware from your computer, I recommend you find at least 2 that you are comfortable using.

Applications to detect and remove Spyware
Product	Description	Online scan	Free version	trial version	Full version	Cost
A squared	Comprehensive scanner for spyware and other malicious software					£16.50
Ad-Aware 07	The webs most downloaded free spyware scanner					£14.85
Antispy	Exposes spyware and other malicious software					£15.98
AVG Anti-spyware	Previously known as Ewido. Comprehensive, powerful spyware and trojan security suite. For Windows XP & 2000 only					£19.95
Pest Patrol	powerful tool that detects and eliminates all destructive pests					£22.11
Spyware Sweeper	Safely remove spyware and adware from your PC. Free trial available.					£15.98
Spybot S&D	Popular free detection and removal tool commonly used in conjunction with Ad-Aware SE					£--.--
Spyware Doctor	Wide ranging malware detection and removal Free trial					£22.95
Windows defender	Impressive detection, removal and repair capabilities from Microsoft.					£-.-
WinTasks 5	Not a scanner, lists all processes running on your computer, including hidden background processes like spyware.					£30
X-Cleaner	Collection of useful security and system cleaning utilities					£27
Applications to help prevent spyware installing
Spywareblaster	Well respected FREE tool that prevents parasites being installed					£-- --
Spyware Guard	Not a scanner, runs in the background to prevent installation of parasites. Sister to Spyware Blaster					£--
Spyware jammer	Works in a similar way to a firewall, by examining packets passing through your internet connection, for known spyware applications to prevent installation.					£22.04
PLEASE NOTE- Where a price is quoted from a company outside the UK, the actual price may be different as it is subject to exchange rates t the time of ordering

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