Spyware and Viruses

Well, there’s a lot of software out there, and all of them vary in levels of effectiveness. Some work better on viruses, some on spyware, etc. It can be difficult to choose the right one.

To start out, there’s sunbelt counter spy version 2 or 2.0, whichever you prefer. Counter spy removes most spyware and malicious programs and is cheap. For one user, it’s about $20. That’s pretty good for the job it does.

Windows Defender is another spyware blocker. It is a nice piece of software because it is entirely free. The downside is that you have to validate your windows’ registration. Another downside is that Windows Defender doesn’t pick up a lot of spyware for removal. So, it’s free, but it misses a lot.

Webroot Sweeper version 5.5 is another program for giving spyware the boot. The good thing about spy sweeper is that the company provides free technical support and you can even call for live telephone support. The downside is that spy sweeper installs extras like the ask.com toolbar and misses some spyware. Technical support is good, but I don’t like having to uninstall extra junk I don’t need or want.

Norton Anti Virus 2008 gives you some solid protection against viruses and spyware. The thing about Norton is that the program size is huge. It also doesn’t support the Firefox web browser that is really popular amongst users. Plus, there is no free technical support.

Spyware Doctor 6 is my choice for spyware blockers. It removes almost all spyware and has an anti-virus engine that adds extra protection against viruses and other spyware. The only thing with spyware doctor is that it does offer a free scan of your computer but does not eliminate spyware for free. Paying the money for spyware doctor is definitely worth it though.

I recommend Spyware Doctor. It has worked for me where other products have failed and actively protects my computer system from spyware attacks.

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent.Malicious software goes by many names: Spyware, worms, viruses, Trojans, Adware, keystroke loggers, pests, and more. “Spyware” often is used to mean all malicious software other than viruses. I prefer the term “malware” as it’s a bit more descriptive. This page is for removing any type of malware.

Unlike viruses and worms, Spyware does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses; however, Spyware by design exploits infected computers for commercial gain.

Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers, other account Details); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.

Spyware can also come bundled with Shareware or other Downloadable software, as well as music CDs. The user downloads a program and installs it, and the installer additionally installs the Spyware. Although the desirable software itself may do not harm, the bundled Spyware does. In some cases, Spyware authors have paid shareware authors to bundle Spyware with their software. In other cases, Spyware authors have repackaged desirable freeware with installers that add Spyware.

A third way of distributing Spyware involves tricking users by manipulating security features designed to prevent unwanted installations. Internet Explorer prevents websites from initiating an unwanted download. Instead, it requires a user action, such as clicking on a link. However, links can prove deceptive: for instance, a pop-up ad may appear like a standard Windows dialog box. The box contains a message such as “Would you like to optimize your Internet access?” with links which look like buttons reading Yes and No. No matter which “button” the user presses, a download starts, placing the spyware on the user’s system. Later versions of Internet Explorer offer fewer avenues for this attack.

How Affects, Effects and behaviors

A Spyware program is rarely alone on a computer: an affected machine can rapidly be infected by many other components. Users frequently notice unwanted behavior and degradation of system performance. A spyware infestation can create significant unwanted CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic, all of which slows the computer down. Stability issues, such as application or system-wide crashes, are also common. Spyware, which interferes with networking software commonly causes difficulty connecting to the Internet.

In some infections, the spyware is not even evident. Users assume in those situations that the issues relate to hardware, Windows installation problems, or a virus. Some owners of badly infected systems resort to contacting technical support experts, or even buying a new computer because the existing system “has become too slow”. Badly infected systems may require a clean reinstallation of all their software in order to return to full functionality.

Many spyware programs display advertisements. Some programs simply display pop-up ads on a regular basis; for instance, one every several minutes, or one when the user opens a new browser window. Others display ads in response to specific sites that the user visits. Spyware operators present this feature as desirable to advertisers, who may buy ad placement in pop-ups displayed when the user visits a particular site. It is also one of the purposes for which spyware programs gather information on user behavior.

Many users complain about irritating or offensive advertisements as well. As with many banner ads, many spyware advertisements use animation or flickering banners which can be visually distracting and annoying to users. Pop-up ads for pornography often display indiscriminately. Links to these sites may be added to the browser window, history or search function. When children are the users, this could possibly violate anti-pornography laws in some jurisdictions.

Anti-spyware programs often report Web advertisers’ HTTP cookies, the small text files that track browsing activity, as spyware. While they are not always inherently malicious, many users object to third parties using space on their personal computers for their business purposes, and many anti-spyware programs offer to remove them.

It is recommended that users DO NOT INSTALL any Freeware claiming to be anti-spyware unless it is verified to be legitimate. Some known offenders include:
AntiVirus Gold
ContraVirus
Errorsafe (AKA system doctor)
MacSweeper
PAL Spyware Remover
Pest Trap
PSGuard
SpywareStrike
Spyware Quake Spydawn
Spylocked
SpyShredder
Spy Sheriff
Spy Wiper
UltimateCleaner
WinAntiVirus Pro 2006
WinFixer
WorldAntiSpy

Spyware does not intentionally harm your computer but they allow other people to communicate with the computer, this in turn allows people other than the computer user to record what type of websites that you visit, and in turn they use these to send you unwanted and annoying pop-ups and emails by other web advertisers. Although they do not harm your computer they are at the least annoying and at worst, they are very intrusive, they can record your key strokes, they can see what applications you use,IE Web Browser settings and they can scan files that you have on your hard disk

Someone is guilty of creating this spyware that is infecting your computer and driving you nuts. They will collect all the information and use this unscrupulously by passing it on to other advertisers etc for them to use as they please.

Then we have Adware, this is similar to spyware, although the adware is material which is placed inside a program or software and if this is downloaded you could inadvertently put this into your computer system. Some adware will download the advertising content while you are using a certain application. It is usually advertising material,

One of the signs of spyware infections would be pop-up ads that that are probably not related to the site you are looking at. One of the most common types of pop ups are from sites with adult content. If you notice your desktop is taking longer than usual to load or your computer is running slow, it is highly likely that you have some form of spyware, adware infection. It is advisable to scan your computer for this possibility.

Now we come to the real problems, Viruses, these in complete contrast viruses are software which are intended to destroy anything on your computer, they are able to replicate themselves whenever they come into contact with any components on your computer and destroy them. They will attempt to destroy your computers operating system or your network

Many anti virus, spyware and adware software are available in the market, they will search and scan and will detect any of these aforementioned problems but some will only remove IE, viruses such as Trojan, or only remove spyware, and so on. So you need to ensure that you have the correct protection to cover all three of these problems.

It is important to keep your scanner for virus or spyware up to date to ensure protection for your computer as there are many thousands of viruses and spyware lurking in the internet.

Always use your pop up blocker as this will reduce the risk of your computer becoming infected, and also set up firewall systems, to keep your computer, files and personal information safe.