| You might have a spy in your home, and it's not | | | | or in software on your computer. This happens when |
| James Bond. Heck, it's not even human! Your | | | | you visit a website containing spyware code that |
| computer might be collecting your personal information | | | | attacks your browser and installs the spyware. This is |
| and passing it on to companies and people anywhere | | | | often referred to as a "drive-by download." |
| in the world. That's because there might be spyware | | | | Unfortunately, once one spyware program gets in, |
| on your computer without you even knowing it. | | | | your computer becomes more vulnerable to additional |
| Spyware is software designed to collect information | | | | spyware. Many users assume the significant decrease |
| about you for a variety of purposes, including | | | | in efficiency is a hardware program, and might go so |
| advertising, credit card fraud, and identity theft. The | | | | far as to purchase a new computer. When a |
| information is gathered in a number of ways, such as | | | | computer is extremely infected, you might actually |
| by recording the keys that you type, recording your | | | | have to back up your files and perform a clean |
| Web browsing history, and even scanning documents | | | | reinstallation of all the software on your computer. This |
| you have saved on your hard drive. | | | | is a time-consuming process and requires you to set |
| Although collecting your information for advertising is | | | | up your computer preferences as though you were |
| generally just annoying, it can be harmful to your | | | | setting up your computer for the first time. |
| computer since it uses up resources. When your | | | | The best thing you can do to protect yourself from |
| computer is infected with spyware, you might notice a | | | | spyware is to purchase an anti-spyware program. |
| significant slowing in performance and your computer | | | | These programs work to fight spyware by preventing |
| will just generally react sluggishly to your commands. | | | | its installation and by detecting and disabling existing |
| And, if too much spyware builds up, your computer | | | | spyware. Some spyware programs don't perform |
| might crash or fail to start up. | | | | both of these functions. |
| Spyware used to collect your financial information is a | | | | If you purchase a program that detects and disables |
| much more serious problem. Some types of spyware | | | | existing spyware, be sure to schedule it to run on a |
| attempt to record your password as you log into | | | | regular basis. When you run a program of this type, it |
| certain websites, such as your bank's site or your | | | | will scan your Windows registry, operating system files, |
| credit card company's site. Or, they might try to | | | | and all installed programs. You'll then see a list of |
| capture your credit card number as you enter it during | | | | potential threats from which you can decide which to |
| an online shopping checkout. | | | | delete and which to keep. |
| Spyware doesn't spread like a virus or a worm; your | | | | The bad news is that some fake anti-spyware |
| infected computer won't try to spread its disease to | | | | programs have appeared on the market. In addition, |
| others. Spyware gets into your system by tricking you | | | | you might see ads on your computer that appear to |
| or by working its way through some of the less | | | | be pop-ups generated by your computer system |
| secure spots on your computer. In most cases, you'll | | | | indicating you have a spyware infection. When you |
| never see it happening. A lot of spyware is transmitted | | | | click on these pop-ups, you'll be directed to a site that |
| as a Trojan horse, where it masquerades as | | | | instructs you to buy certain programs. |
| something useful-sometimes even as security | | | | To avoid being taken in by these malicious |
| software! | | | | programmers, do your homework. Only buy an |
| Spyware sometimes comes bundled with software | | | | anti-spyware program from a reputable dealer. Before |
| that you can download from the Internet, such as | | | | buying, do some research into the program and look |
| certain shareware programs. When you download the | | | | for customer reviews. Although spyware is extremely |
| program you want, the unwanted spyware is | | | | common on the Internet, you can keep those spies out |
| downloaded as well. | | | | of your computer and your home. |
| Still other spyware targets holes in your Web browser | | | | |