Spyware - Spy Software
Spyware Removal Software PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 23 September 2008 17:00

A recent study indicates that every 9 out of 10 computers connected to the Internet are infected by spyware. Spyware, as the name suggests, spies on a machine for the user’s personal information and the Web sites he frequently visits. It works in the background without the user’s knowledge and sends the stolen information to its creator. Furthermore, the transmission of information consumes a good part of the network bandwidth, slowing down the surfing speed. Spyware are hard to remove manually. It requires special spyware removal software to get the job done. Spyware removal software is usually available for free from the Web sites of software security companies and hacker communities. Many high-end products are offered for a price.

Spyware removal software scans the entire computer for spyware. The spyware is traced and removed, and a detailed report is presented to the user. Most spyware removal software continuously monitors the network, data files, and the registry for any spyware. The software thus ensures continuous protection of the computer and the user’s personal information. Absence of spyware results in better utilization of the network bandwidth. Good spyware removal software does not slow down your computer while scanning the drives, memory, and registry.

Some spyware are designed to evade the remover software and reinstall them. They are intelligent enough to change their location once they have been detected. Spyware removal software should therefore be constantly updated to track down those mischief-makers. It should be sourced from a genuine software developer. Some websites post fake software tools which, when downloaded, installs more spyware and adware. Most fake tools remove the original spyware and work themselves as new spyware or adware. Spyware removal software should be downloaded from a secure and reliable source.

Spyware Remover provides detailed information on Spyware Remover, Free Spyware Removal, Adware Spyware Removal Tool, Spyware Removal Software and more. Spyware Remover is affiliated with Free Spyware.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Bellamy
 
Sunbelt CounterSpy - Anti Spyware Software Review PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 18 September 2008 17:01

Due to the growing number of security incidents involving spyware on the internet today, it is now considered to be “common practice” to use anti-spyware/anti-adware software on every computer that connects to the world wide web. Spyware and adware usually installs without notice just by browsing to an unscrupulous website, using file-sharing programs or by downloading freeware. Since it is not a virus, most spyware cannot be detected by anti-virus software. Spyware can be extremely dangerous because it collects personal information about you and transmits it to the person who created it. The information collected can be as benign as the type of websites you visit, or as dangerous as sensitive personal information like passwords, account numbers or names/addresses. Adware normally collects information relating to your internet browsing habits, and spyware usually steals sensitive information. Spyware is often used to steal bank account information, credit card numbers or a person’s whole identity. If you have spent any time surfing the internet at all, chances are your computer is infected with adware and/or spyware.

In an effort to decide which anti-spyware product to buy, I decided to take Sunbelt Software’s Counter Spy for a free 14 day trial run. In order to really put this software to the test, I installed it on my work computer which is protected by an expensive Cisco firewall, Mcafee Antivirus (updated daily), and regular Windows updates. I do very little web-surfing at work and never download anything except technical software such as antivirus, spyware removers, firewall software, etc…

Following my own advice never to download software from anywhere other than the manufacturer’s “official” website, I visited Sunbelt Software’s site in order to download the free trial of their highly recommended spyware remover software - CounterSpy.

The CounterSpy setup process is a super easy Wizard interface that requires simple “yes” or “no” answers. As soon as the quick installation is finished, the CounterSpy update service downloaded the latest spyware definitions and checked for software updates. Following installation, CounterSpy prompts you to scan your system for spyware. This process took about 20 minutes on my computer.

To my surprise, Counter Spy found one instance of spyware and 74 instances of adware on my computer. It provided me a very detailed list including the name of the suspicious item as well as a good explanation of the problem. You can drill down deeper by clicking on a “+” sign that appears next to each spyware item, and see all of the registry keys and file directories that the spyware has attached itself to. Upon examination of the spyware item found on my PC, I saw that pieces of it were attached to 60 registry keys and three directories. No wonder spyware is so hard to remove! All of the adware that CounterSpy found on my PC was in the form of cookies, and a detailed explanation is given about each one. Much of the adware was the cause of pop-up ads that I find so annoying. CounterSpy lets you choose what you want to do with all spyware and adware it finds, and the default choice is to delete it, which I did.

I have tried other anti spyware software such as Spyware Doctor, eTrust Pest Patrol, Spybot S&D, and McAfee. I found Sunbelt Counter Spy to be one of the easiest to install and configure, and it appears to use up less system resources than Spyware Doctor, which often hangs my home computer. At only $19.95 per year, with renewal rates just $9.95 per year, Sunbelt Counter Spy is the best value for the money. CounterSpy has won numerous awards by prestigious companies such as PC World, Tucows, and C Net – it is definitely an anti spyware program worth considering!

To learn more about internet security risks and what you can do about them,visit http://www.antivirus-firewall-spyware.com. Or visit my Spyware Removers page. My security blog: Computer Security for Everyone

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jacobsen
 
Adware and Spyware Removers – A Beginner's Primer PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 04 September 2008 14:01
The Internet is a vast resource of information and users all over the world are able to download whatever programs they see fit onto their computer. Unfortunately, having an open connection to the world also can be dangerous in today"s online environment, particularly when you look at the rise of adware & spyware applications that can be downloaded onto your computer without you even knowing it.

You may have heard about spyware and adware from some of the tech geeks at work, but what does it actually mean to you? Surely, these kind of things only affect business computers and servers, right? Wrong. Spyware and adware can be downloaded onto any computer, regardless of whether you"re at work or surfing the web at home. It doesn"t even sometimes come from what you would think would be the most likely candidates: porn sites, gambling sites & other illegal material. The unfortunate part is that sometimes companies that we think to be reputable can actually be using spyware as well to track your every move.

Spyware and adware do not work like a typical virus. Normally they are not as malicious, but they can be just as annoying and incredibly difficult to get rid of. They usually end up appearing on your web browser as a new toolbar up on top, and/or triggering random pop-up ads at certain times. What"s happening is these programs are being downloaded and keeping track of your information: the web sites you"ve been to, your search history in Google, Yahoo or another search engine....possibly even your passwords. They"re also doing things that use up your computer"s valuable resources or hijacking your homepage and switching it to some random search site automatically.

You can quickly see what a nuisance this can be, particularly if you end up having a lot of these programs downloaded to your computer. Such applications, when triggered almost simultanously, can cause you serious problems and a lot of time and effort in repair after the fact. Fortunately, however, there are many spyware removers and anti spyware programs that are available to you that you can download; some even have free trial versions. Nine times out of ten, they are very simple to use and can root out files and cookies on your computer that are associated with spyware.

That said, once you download one of these applications, you must be vigilant and remember to use the program on at least a weekly basis in order to avoid further outbreaks. It helps to download a spyware remover program that also contains an adware shield of some sort that is running in the background and blocks the download of a new piece of spyware before it occurs.

Also, be sure to always know what kind of a link you"re clicking before you click on it, even if it is from someone you think you know. Usually, spam e-mails contain “click here” links that will download some piece of spyware, but your friend might send you a link on AIM or something without even knowing that it is a link to download spyware. These incidents are more common than you might think. Again, a spyware remover program that runs in the background can be of great help here.

If you know how to protect your computer from spyware before it gets downloaded, then you"ll be much better off, and you"ll be able to surf the web freely and safely without having to call up the PC tech place down the street to fix your computer for outrageous fees.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Blair MacGregor is the webmaster & publisher of www.anti-spyware-center.com which provides reviews of the latest Spyware Removers and brings you current and up-to-date news on the adware and spyware scene.
 
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