Spyware-Adware | Dallas Computer Repair

Spyware/adware are so prevelant on the internettoday that it can wreck havoc on unprotected systems. Symptons of infected computers include the system becoming noticeably slower, popups that appear on the screen trying to sell diet pills, software programs, adware and spyware programs, sex aids, and other annoyings ads. If you have a fast processor you may not notice a slow down but if you are not using any kind of protection you can rest assured that you are infected. Various news outlets have different statitistics but a majority of machines are infected in this country, over 50%, easily.

Computer security experts call these exploits malware which is simply described as all forms of malicious programs and software. These adware/spyware are introduced to users computers through websites or through freeware and shareware that is downloaded to machines. Users do not intentionally download these programs but they are built into other programs that users download including some so-called adware/spyware removers. Social engineering is used to intise users to download programs and then the malware can distribute its payload.

These spyware/adware programs can watch your every move on computers, including installing keystrokes loggers that save your credit card numbers, bank account information and passwords that are entered into web page forms. This information is then sent back to a designated source that has ill intentions. Another form of adware/spyware that advertisers use is to track your internet use and which websites users have visited and send that information back to advertisers.

Unlike adware/spyware that delivers unwanted ads from users' computers or the internet, advertising-supported software has ads built within its own programs. Users are given the choice to use the programs with the advertisements or the choice to uninstall the program completely. These programs are not malicious and the programs are honest and up-front about the programs containing advertisents.

Removing adware/spyware is generally less difficult that removing viruses. Although these programs are not removable through the add/remove programs in windows they can be removed with special programs designed for adware/spyware removal. Antivirus companies are now offering other services to their programs including malware removal. Kaspersky works well identifying and removing adware and spyware.

Removing spyware/adware can be down most of the time with free scanners. Make sure the program is safe. Some unscrupulous, so-called, adware and spyware removers actually contain spyware/adware themselves. Be extra cautious with popups "explaining" that your machine is infected and that you need to download their software. Although several reputable companies use this form of advertisement, some unscrupulous companies use this technique to install spyware/adware.

Unlike antivirus programs, more than one malware remover may be used without conflicts, generally speaking. Some toolbars, special web browser add-ons, now offer options that include links to McAfee or Norton that offer free malware scans of computers when connected to the internet. Be sure these toolbars are from legitimate vendors. Two good vendors are Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot-S&D. Ad-Aware can be configured to do quick scans and deep scans that looks at all registry items and files. Spybot is user-friendly and can immunize parts of the drive that are susceptible to adware/spyware.

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Spyware/Adware

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