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Spyware comes in many forms.
Typically, spyware gets installed on your computer without you realizing it. It
may be part of a program that you installed or it may install itself as you
access various web sites.
You can set detect and remove
unwanted spyware. However, in some cases, the program that installed the spyware
may not work without the spyware installed. You should test your programs before
deleting spyware permanently.
Spyware/Adware/Malware
infects 9 out of 10 Internet connected PCs and has eclipsed viruses as the #1
threat to online privacy.
The consequences of
unidentified Spyware/Adware/Malware can include identity theft, computer
corruption and bombardment from pop-up ads.
Spyware/Adware/Malware can
easily bypass anti-virus protection by piggybacking on legitimate downloads to
stealthily install on your system without your knowledge.
Spyware/Adware/Malware
programs are deeply rooted applications that intertwine with core system
functions to make manual removal without system disruption nearly impossible for
most PC users.
"Parasite" is a shorthand
term for unsolicited commercial software - that is, a program that gets
installed on your computer which you never asked for, and which does something
you probably do not want it to, for someone else's profit.
The parasite problem has
grown enormously recently, and many millions of computers are affected.
Unsolicited commercial software can typically:
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Plague
you with unwanted advertising adware |
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Watch
everything you do on-line and send information back to marketing companies
spyware |
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Add
advertising links to web pages, for which the author does not get paid, and
redirect the payments from affiliate-fee schemes to the makers of the
software (such software is sometimes called "scumware") |
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Set
browser home page and search settings to point to the makers' sites
(generally loaded with advertising), and prevent you changing it back
(homepage hijackers) or (browser hijacking) |
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Make
your modem (analogue or ISDN) call premium-rate phone numbers ("dialers") |
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Leave
security holes allowing the makers of the software (or, in particularly bad
cases, anyone at all) to download and run software on your machine;
Degrade system performance and cause errors thanks to being badly-written |
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Provide no uninstall feature, and put its code in unexpected and hidden
places to make it difficult to remove and in some cases impossible to
remove. |
There are a number of tools
available that can detect and even remove adware, spyware and malware. Some of
these tools are available at a modest price, and may offer a free trial period.
Some are available free to home users.
IMPORTANT
-- These tools
are NOT a substitute for a reputable, up-to-date anti-virus program. While they
may detect some types of malware, they are not specifically designed to protect
against computer viruses. Always make sure you have an antivirus program with
updated signature files running on your computer.
Ad-Aware Standard Edition
-- multicomponent detection and removal utility. Available free to
non-commercial users.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
SpyBot-S&D -- free
spyware and malware detection and removal tool.
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php
If you aren't sure how to properly use this software we recommend
you seek help from a trained computer professional.
I will check for viruses, trojans,
malware, spy ware and adware which can severely affect performance .
We come to
your home or place of business to service your computer needs. I am at your disposal to answer any computer related
questions you might have and to take care of your computer. |