| Most people who have spyware on their computers | | | | of doing. For example, the spyware that watches your |
| and laptops do not even realize it. The spyware lurks | | | | keystrokes when you visit financial websites and then |
| in the background doing it deeds within the shadows of | | | | communicates this data to other unknown parties |
| their computer's hard drives. | | | | exposes you and your financial livelihood to risk. |
| Sadly, most are unaware of what spyware can do, | | | | These other parties can then potentially access your |
| the types of damage it can potentially cause and | | | | bank, investment and loan accounts online without your |
| measures that can be taken to protect yourself from | | | | knowledge or permission, wreaking havoc. Other types |
| these annoying programs. This article will offer | | | | of spyware can actually gain control of your computer |
| answers that will clarify what spyware is and tips you | | | | and distribute that control to other parties. As a result, |
| can use to protect yourself from spyware in the | | | | unknown parties can potentially gain access to any |
| future. | | | | sensitive data on your hard drive. |
| What Exactly Is Spyware? | | | | How Can Your Protect Your Computer From |
| Spyware are computer programs that exist on your | | | | Spyware? |
| computer's hard drive. They come in a variety of | | | | The most effective way to protect you and your |
| types and flavors. Some spyware simply lurk in the | | | | computer from spyware is to use a computer |
| shadows of your hard drive, watching your browser | | | | program that is designed specifically to identify and get |
| and taking notes of which websites you visit. | | | | rid of such bugs. Such programs include the |
| Often, it then communicates what it finds to other | | | | well-regarded Spybot - Search and Destroy software. |
| parties by using your internet access. Other spyware | | | | These types of programs are increasingly helpful as |
| watch and take note of your keystrokes whenever | | | | spyware creators become more savvy. |
| you visit a financial services website. | | | | Some spyware tries to mask or disguise its presence |
| Knowing as "keyloggers," this type of spyware then | | | | on your hard drive by appearing as an anti-spyware |
| sends your sensitive financial information (including your | | | | program. That can make them difficult to identify and |
| username and passwords) to other parties across the | | | | remove. Fortunately, dedicated programs like Spybot |
| internet. | | | | are constantly updated with the latest version of |
| How Does Spyware Get Installed? | | | | spyware that are being circulated. This allows it to |
| Most often, spyware is downloaded through the | | | | keep up with new spyware, helping it to easily identify |
| internet. Sometimes, the download occurs when a user | | | | and remove them. |
| knowingly downloads another piece of software and | | | | If you have never scanned your system, there is a |
| the spyware is attached and enjoys a "free ride" on | | | | good chance that you have a spyware program |
| the user's hard drive. Other times, spyware can be | | | | lurking on your hard drive. It could be relatively benign, |
| downloaded by visiting websites. | | | | content to simply exist. |
| Known as "drive by's," these downloads happen | | | | Or, it could be maliciously communicating your sensitive |
| automatically without the user's permission once a user | | | | data to outside parties. Use a dedicated spyware |
| has simply visited a particular website. | | | | removal program such as Spybot - Search and |
| Is Spyware Dangerous? | | | | Destroy to get rid of these bugs before they cause |
| While not all spyware is necessarily dangerous, it does | | | | any significant damage. |
| represent a risk because of the damage it is capable | | | | |