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What is Spyware?
Spyware is a kind of software that is installed on your computer without you knowing. This type of software can collect data such as your web-surfing habits, shopping preferences, or even login and credit card information.
Typically, sypware can be installed one of three ways:
- The spyware is secretly attached to another piece of software (like a free toolbar, or screensaver) then installed without user permission or knowledge when you download it.
- The spyware is secretly installed when you view certain webpages designed to attack vulnerabilities in your web browser.
- The spyware is attached to an email that the user opens or accidentally executes.
Some spyware is only out to gather information about your web-surfing habits in order to show you unwanted ads, but more malevolent spyware (also known as malware) can actually take over parts of your system and do extensive damage.
Spyware can:
- Deliver targeted advertising in the form of pop-ups.
- Take over your search functions in order to serve you unwanted advertising.
- Steal sensitive data like passwords, login info, bank account numbers, social security numbers, etc.
- Monitor every keystoke you make.
- Perform financial transactions using your credit card or bank information (identity theft).
One of the more sneaky ways spyware operators are now adopting is called "rootkit" installs. They install the spyware as part of a normal computer function like your web browser, device driver, or other system services so that the spyware is well hidden and will run every time you use one of these normal computer functions. This makes spyware even more difficult to find and eliminate.
How do I get rid of spyware on my computer?
Fortunately, there are a number of great antispyware software products that can effectively detect, eliminate, and protect your PC from spyware of all kinds. Some are better than others, but we believe our top choices for this year are the best in the business.
If you're not sure you have spyware on your computer, try a free system scan with no obligation to find out. You don't want to find out the hard way if your credit card, or bank account is being fraudulently used.
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