Most people know they need to protect their computers from viruses on the internet, but many aren’t aware of another very serious threat that’s out there: spyware and adware.
What is Spyware?
Spyware programs are virus-like applications that get installed on your computer (without your knowledge or consent) while you’re surfing the Web. Once in place they can do a number of things—track your surfing habits and sell the information to advertisers and spammers, steal the email addresses out of your address book and sell them to spammers, redirect your browser to sites of their choosing, display hundreds of pop-up ads per hour, and change your home page and favorites to include sites they want you to visit—usually porn sites.
If that’s not bad enough, spyware/adware programs also make your computer run slowly and will eventually cause crashes, sometimes requiring re-installation of your operating system.
How Do You Get Spyware on the Internet?
Generally, you get spyware by clicking on a free offer: free screensavers, free internet optimizers, free search bars, free wallpaper, free smileys and even free spyware-removal tools! When you download and install the so-called free program, it also quietly installs the spyware/adware. The free item is just the bait to get you to click and download.
Another sure way to get spyware: install virtually any of the music-sharing programs such as Kazaa, BearShare, Limewire, etc. These organizations make money only one way: by installing spyware on your computer.
A third way to get spyware is to visit questionable web sites such as porn sites, warez (pirated software) sites, wrestling sites, game sites, and some music sites. Some of these places can install spyware on your computer without you clicking on anything. It’s called drive-by downloading. Be careful which sites you visit.
How Can You Protect Yourself Against Spyware and Other Threats?
Before you click on any free offering, ask yourself why a total stranger would be giving you something free. There are some legitimate free offers on the Web, but not many. Usually there’s a catch--spyware.
Stay away from questionable web sites, such as those mentioned above.
Use Ad-Aware Plus to help prevent drive-by spyware installations. Use a good software firewall such as Zone Alarm or Zone Alarm Pro so that nothing comes into or goes out of your computer without you knowing it. Use an anti-virus program, such as Norton Anti-Virus; it catches some virus-like spyware applications. (Check the JasNet Info page for links to Zone Alarm and Ad-Aware.)
Also visit some of the spyware info sites listed on the JasNet Info page. They go into a lot more detail about the spyware problem and ways to deal with it. Spyware is a growing problem, and it gets worse every day. Be aware of what’s out there. Take steps to protect your computer.