Spyware

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• About spyware: information, descriptiom, explanation, removal.

What is Spyware?

Spyware refers to computer software that carries out unwanted activities such as:

• Collecting your personal information
• Tracking you internet use (and passing the information on to someboy else)
• Changing settings on your computer

Spyware is generally installed without first getting obtaining the computer owner's informed consent.

Spyware is frequently associated with software that accompanies advertising or software that reports on the personal or financial information of the computer owner.

Not all software that collects visitor’s information or reports on visitor’s online activities is harmful or malicious.

But generally, if it's not malicious, it's not called spyware. After all, it's not malware.

See our glossary page for a discussion of malware in general. (Glossary page opens in a new window.)

Legitimate collecting of information

An example would be, you enroll for a free movie download service: the service is supported by advertisers, and you agree to view advertising. The service explains to you in advance that they can track which ads you are most interested in (e.g. if you click on an ad to find out more).

The fact that you understand the agreement as it relates to receiving online advertising is what makes this legitimate.

Internet users often agree to permit advertising companies to track their online activities in exchange for free downloads of software, music or movies. Advertising companies may track your online activity to determine what type of advertising to display on your computer.

But some companies use invasive information collecting and conceal the terms of the agreement in the fine print – e.g. at the end of a long user agreement that might run out to 3000 words. This is deceptive and companies that do this are usually accused of using spyware.

What will spyware do to your computer?

There are types of spyware that modify your computer files and can cause your computer to crash or slow down.

Frequently spyware programs modify your internet browser’s index/home page or search page. Or they might add components to your browser that you do not want or need.

Spyware programs can also make changing your default setting difficult or even impossible.

How does spyware get to your computer?

There are many ways spyware programs or other unwanted programs find their way onto your computer. Most commonly they are secretly installed at the same time you install other software, like file sharing, music or movies.

Anytime you install a program on your computer, read all disclosures carefully. This includes the license agreement and any privacy statements. At times the inclusion of undesirable software is documented, generally at the end of the license agreement or the privacy statement.

Spyware protection.

Everyone with a computer using the Internet needs spyware protection, detection and removal.

How To Get Protected from Spyware

Reliable spyware detection is essential but it is not enough, you must also have spyware prevention and removal tools. Everyone who uses the Internet should have a defense system that prevents the installation of unwanted spyware onto his or her computer.

Firstly, whatever you do, only use quality software. There are a lot of rogue programs advertised on the web.

See our glossary page for an explanation of rogue programs.

(The ads and links on our pages – to free spyware scans, trial software and products you can buy – go only to selected, trusted, companies.)

• Most good anti-spyware and anti-adware software is aimed and protecting you from, and cleaning out, both spyware and adware.
• Most quality anti-virus software will also give you some protection from adware and spyware – particularly from any worm, virus or trojan horse threats that it might expose you to.
• Good quality internet security suites will aim to protect you from spyware and adware – and viruses, worms and a lot else as well.
  See on this site for internet security suites from the top anti-virus specialists. E.g. see on our anti-virus pages for:
  
  – Kaspersky security tools.
  
  – BitDefender security tools.
  
  – Panda security tools.

We have information on this site about the best software – that is, quality, respected, trusted brands – in all these categories.

Without spyware protection, detection and removal programs every internet user risks having to repair their computer.

But don't worry:

Everyone can start to protect themselves because there are some good free anti-spyware programs..

You can get some quality protection from spyware for free.

Check our page about good Adware and Spyware Software to see the options.

• Remember the list of basics for staying secure online:
• Making your browser more secure (or maybe using a different browser).
• Using anti-spyware tools. (A few.)
• Using an antivirus tool. (One good one that runs all the time.)
• Using a firewall. (Just one.)
• Using email safely. (Some antivirus and anti-spyware tools will monitor incoming and outgoing emails.)

How do Anti Spyware Programs Help?

Often, the first time a person looks for anti-spyware programs it is because they are already infected with spyware and need to remove it.

But prevention is better than cure.

Every internet user should have an effective anti-spyware program that includes a defense system or always-on protection.

The best first step is to get spyware detection software that shields your computer against the installation of spyware programs.

There are several things to look for in an effective spyware prevention or defense system:

• A program that shields you from known, identified threats

– with regular updates for the database of known spyware and threats.

• Shields and defense for Internet Explorer and other browsers

This is to protect you from 'browser hijacks' – programs that try to alter the settings of your browser. (A bit more about that is below.)

• Monitoring of downloading and browsing activity

• A shield for your 'hosts' file

• A file shredder for computer files can help

There are free file shredders or 'file wipers' available on the internet. Some antispyware and other security software comes with a file shredder too.

Note about Browser Hijacks

Your computer's Internet browsers, like Internet Explorer, Netscape or Mozilla, must be protected against spyware programs.

Any attempt to modify or alter your browser settings must be prevented or shielded. Any change to your browser must be reviewed and approved by you.

Hijackers might try to add 'favourites' or bookmarks to your list, or get deeper into your browser's system to make changes that you will find difficult to undo.

If you have already been hijacked, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, and Spy Sweeper, CA Anti-spyware, will usually remove or undo any browser hijacking.

A bit more about how anti spyware programs work.

Essential in a spyware shield is a program that identifies 'Known Threat Agents'. Your program must block these.

Your spyware detection program would normally have, or be connected to, a 'definitions database'. This is basically a list of known threats.

Because of the sheer quantity and proliferation of spyware, especially since 2005, suppliers of anti-spyware tools are hard pressed to keep their databases up-to-date.

Consequently, the usual opinion today is that we should have more than one anti-spyware tool on hand. (Thank goodness that some are free.)

Of course they need to keep you up-to-date also. A good antispyware tool will send you frequent updates (perhaps daily) to the definitions database it uses.

Of course, these updates use your bandwidth and take time. So some antispyware programs now have incremental updates, so you don't need to re-download the entire database every time. E.g. Ad-Aware, and Spyware Doctor have incremental updates.

Sometimes a spyware program’s job is to redirect one web site address to another. Spyware programs that do this are probably trying to hijack your Windows 'hosts' file. (On recent Windows versions this is in [your Windows directory]\system32\drivers\etc.

The hosts file can be used to allow, redirect or disallow websites from your computer. Obviously, the only person who should be using it is you.

This is not for inexperienced computer users, but if you want to learn how to use your hosts file to block objetionable websites and advertising from your computer, visit hostsfile.info

So far I am not aware of a spyware shield or program that explicitly says it monitors your hosts file for changes. However this is one of the protections that many security programs offer when they say they monitor "important system files" to protect the mfrom being changed.

Ad-Aware provides an editor for looking at and making your own changes to your hosts file.

Sypware programs such as keyloggers (glossary link) are aimed at stealing your identity.

The quality anti-spyware tools and internet security suites will help protect you from keyloggers.

Summary

Spyware is capable of causing so much damage to your computer that you may find it necessary to replace your computer's hard drive or at least have it carefully dealt with by a professional service.

Every computer that surfs the Internet should be scanned for spyware regularly. Anti-spyware programs are generally available on a trial basis for evaluation before purchase.

E.g. you can get a free trial of Spyware Doctor from us here.

Check our page about good adware and spyware software to see more options.