Custom Software Development
Free Resources
Custom Software
Database Development
Web Design
Web Services
Contact Us

Spyware Protection: A Must have for Any Computer


Now that spyware is the single most dangerous threat to home computers connected to the internet today, getting your hands on some sort of spyware and adware protection is critical. Spyware has outpaced computer viruses in its prevalence, and in the kind of damage it can do to your system.

If you plan on using your home PC to do anything on the internet, even minor emailing or a little light surfing, this kind of protection is a must-have.

What is spyware? Spyware is basically any kind of software that gets installed on your machine without your knowing it, and tracks your actions on the internet for marketing purposes, or causes your computer to perform tasks that you didn't request.

You can accidentally get this stuff installed on your computer, by downloading trials and demos of certain programs that have it "bundled", like a lot of file sharing programs, (a lot, but not all of them) viewing email attachments, or even just visiting certain websites. Sometimes you get lucky and all it does is put a cookie or two on your machine and influence the types of banner ads you see (based on your web surfing habits) or give you a few pop-up ads.

Increasingly, though, companies are getting away with distributing spyware that hijacks your web browser home page, adds unsolicited desktop icons, and pollutes other parts of your web browser, like the screen you see when you hit "search", and the page you get sent to if you misspell a web address. Instead, all you'll see are pages of ads. There's now a new breed of spyware that works like a Trojan Horse virus. Many log your keystrokes, passwords, logins, etc, typed in over a week or so and deliver them to the perpetrator. This is so serious that my antivirus program even catches this spyware. If you let this happen to you, you're leaving yourself open to some serious, serious privacy violations, not to mention likely fraud or identity theft.

Probably the most serious kind of spyware of all, however, affects your email programs. Some will send out a solicitation email to every person in your address book and "sent" items folder. Some spyware just tacks an annoying advertisement onto every email you send out. And these aren't the kinds of solicitations you would want any association with, either. This kind of stuff is the most serious of all, in my opinion. How would you like to have your boss get an email from you telling him to visit a distasteful porn site?

You can probably see by now that getting good spyware protection is more important than anything else. Viruses aren't really a huge deal anymore, because most people have some kind of antivirus programs, and viruses just aren't produced and distributed as much as they used to be. But the problem is, even the best antivirus software out there still doesn't take care of spyware; it's a different classification.

One of the main reasons spyware is so widespread is that it's mainly all still legal. Viruses aren't as much of a problem anymore because the people who start them almost always get tracked down, and sent to jail. But with spyware, most of what these components do isn't really malicious. You'd have to prove some kind of harm. So you saw a few ads. The case could often be made that you initiated whatever process got it on your machine anyway.

Anyone who tries to commit fraud against you by using spyware also won't really be doing it out in the open, so they probably won't get caught. It makes more sense to just get some good spyware protection and keep this from happening in the first place.

Two of the better programs out there meant to deal with this are Adaware and Spysweeper. I use both, but from what I've seen, Spysweeper seems to detect more different pieces of spyware that get on my system.

Also, while they're meant to complement one another, one feature Spysweeper has that Adaware doesn't is that it watches specific components of Windows for you, like your "Startup" programs, web browser "favorites" and your browser homepage. All changes get reported to you. You decide right then and there if you want to let it happen.

Adaware has a similar system, but lets you set it to deal with, and prevent any such changes to your system, without even asking you. It's like having your own digital bodyguard, watching your computer for you while you're free to surf.

If you're serious about your PC's security and your privacy on the internet, spyware protection is not an option, it's a must!


MORE RESOURCES:

Business Wire (press release)

Elliott Terminates Tender Offer to Acquire Epicor Software Corporation
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
... LP and Elliott International, LP (collectively, "Elliott" or "we"), a major shareholder of Epicor Software Corporation (the "Company" or "Epicor"), ...
Hedge Fund Elliott Associates Withdraws Offer for Epicor Software Orange County Business Journal
Epicor drops after hedge fund ends hostile bid Forbes
UPDATE 1-Hedge Fund ends offer for Epicor Reuters
RTT News - Barron's Blogs
all 42 news articles


New York Times

The best thing about the 2.2 iPhone software update
CNET News, CA - 2 hours ago
When it some to iPhone software updates, I'm all about the basics. Apple could enable the iPhone to cook my dinner every night, but if it added multimedia ...
Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update Ars Technica
Apple releases iPhone Software v2.2 Apple Insider
iPhone Software Update 2.2 Out NOW G4 TV
Digitaltrends.com - I4U
all 88 news articles


PAR Technology Corporation Releases Next Version of SpaSoft(R) Spa ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
An industry-standard for more than 10 years, SpaSoft is a fully integrated, dynamic activities management/scheduling software solution, ...


Traction Software Introduces Live Blog Micro-Messaging and End-of ...
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
Live Blogs become a standard feature -- not an extra cost option -- for Traction Software's secure, scalable enterprise class hypertext platform which now ...


Progress Software and QAD Propose A Formula for The Perfect Lean ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
a provider of leading application infrastructure software to develop, deploy, integrate and manage business applications today announced that Progress ...


BBC News

Microsoft to offer free security software to attract beginners
eTaiwan News, Taiwan - 11 hours ago
19 to stop selling personal computer security software and to use free personal anti-virus software instead. The new software called Morro can support seven ...
Spamhaus: Microsoft Now 5th Most Spam Friendly ISP Washington Post
Microsoft: New software not Symantec, McAfee rival Reuters
Microsoft To Stop Paid PC Security Service, Offers Free Anti-Virus ... AHN
NetworkWorld.com - Wall Street Journal
all 304 news articles


Hann’s On Software bouht by Mediware
Bizjournals.com, NC - 4 hours ago
Mediware Information Systems Inc. has bought the assets of Hann’s On Software, a pharmacy-management software provider based in Santa Rosa, for $3.5 million ...
Mediware Acquisition Adds 320 Pharmacy Facilities MarketWatch
Mediware Information buys assets of Hann's On Software - Quick Facts RTT News
Mediware Acquisition Adds 320 Pharmacy Facilities International Business Times
all 19 news articles


Check Point Software Announces Participation in Fourth Quarter ...
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. ( www.checkpoint.com) is the leader in securing the Internet. Check Point offers total security solutions featuring a ...


DR Systems to Feature Software-Only, Enterprise Web-PACS for ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
With the new zero-download application, clinicians no longer have to download the software before accessing reports and exams on their own computers. ...


AVG Sees Uphill Battle for Microsoft in Its Launch of Free Anti ...
MarketWatch - 7 hours ago
AVG, which for eight years has offered free anti-virus software to users worldwide, noted the multiple challenges Microsoft faces in supporting a free ...
AVG predicts 'uphill battle' for Microsoft's free anti-virus TechRadar UK
Microsoft Announces Upcoming Events for the Financial Community MarketWatch
all 27 news articles

Software - Google News

Article Index | home | site map
Powered by Custom Software Development - © 1995 - 2008 Nexus Software Systems