If you do not know what this spyware is then your PC is most likely already infected.
The Microsoft website describes spyware as:
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:
• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
• The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
• You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
• Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
• You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.
I decided to write about Spyware again because I recently had a lot of trouble with it. My brother installed Kazaa, that popular file sharing software that allows you to download MP3s and other stuff through peer to peer connections. The only problem is that aside from the songs you get every imaginable spyware direct into your system. I admit I have been complacent because I always thought that Ad-aware was more than enough to protect my PC from these darn things.
Sufficing to say… I was wrong. Norton was no longer working, the system was really slow, and there was an incredible number of pop up windows. I tried every conceivable troubleshooting step I knew everything short of performing a registry edit. I didn’t have the patience for that one. I ended up reformatting my drive C: reinstalled everything and of course I reinstalled Ad-Aware SE and also Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta).
Now I am not one to praise anything that the evil empire produces but I have to hand it Microsoft, their AntiSpyware software is great. It has active protection that monitors and protects your system real time. I am however keeping Ad-aware simply because its better to have redundancy to protect your system. Oh… and always back up your files. A system crash is as inevitable as death and taxes.
This thing about viruses and spyware is like a war and we have to stay ahead of the game. It would also be nice if Capital punishment would be imposed on all these freaks who makes all these crap. But until that time comes all we can do is be extra careful.
The Microsoft website describes spyware as:
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:
• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
• The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
• You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
• Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
• You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.
I decided to write about Spyware again because I recently had a lot of trouble with it. My brother installed Kazaa, that popular file sharing software that allows you to download MP3s and other stuff through peer to peer connections. The only problem is that aside from the songs you get every imaginable spyware direct into your system. I admit I have been complacent because I always thought that Ad-aware was more than enough to protect my PC from these darn things.
Sufficing to say… I was wrong. Norton was no longer working, the system was really slow, and there was an incredible number of pop up windows. I tried every conceivable troubleshooting step I knew everything short of performing a registry edit. I didn’t have the patience for that one. I ended up reformatting my drive C: reinstalled everything and of course I reinstalled Ad-Aware SE and also Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta).
Now I am not one to praise anything that the evil empire produces but I have to hand it Microsoft, their AntiSpyware software is great. It has active protection that monitors and protects your system real time. I am however keeping Ad-aware simply because its better to have redundancy to protect your system. Oh… and always back up your files. A system crash is as inevitable as death and taxes.
This thing about viruses and spyware is like a war and we have to stay ahead of the game. It would also be nice if Capital punishment would be imposed on all these freaks who makes all these crap. But until that time comes all we can do is be extra careful.
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