Discovering Your Computer's Spyware Infestation.
Spyware tracks, records and sends out your computer usage
information and some types can log your personal credit, bank
account and social security numbers which can result in identity
theft. The most benign type of spyware infects and uses the
information it finds to target you with advertisements through
email and pop up. More dangerous spyware comes in many forms,
such as keyloggers, which can detect and log your usernames,
passwords, credit card number, etc.
Cookies are capable of tracking you while visiting nearly any
web site. They use the information tracked and other sources to
find private information about you. Adware is privacy invasive
software that tracks your internet usage, downloads, computer
habits and more then uses the information to target product
specific ads to your computer.
Your computer has become infected with spyware in one or more of
many different ways. Some users allow spyware in along with
downloads such as music and game freeware. Emails can have
spyware attached to it and upon your approval to download the
attachment, spyware is installed in your computer. Hackers can
find open port in your computer that they use to install
spyware, viruses, etc at their whim. Keyloggers and other
malicious spyware applications are installed through downloads
or physically, often by employers or spouses.
To protect your privacy and computer it is necessary for
internet users to find a program that scan and protects
specifically against spyware. Anti-virus and firewalls are also
necessary protective software but spyware specific programs are
needed due to the high number of spyware threats. Spy Sweeper is
a good program to start with when scanning your system. Other
highly regarded spyware tools are AdAware and Spybot Search and
Destroy. Both scan your system for spyware and other similar
threats and they also have features to help immunize and
actively protect your computer from certain defined threats.
About the author:
Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes
regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/ , a site
that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as
tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer.
This site articles on has spyware guard,
http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as
well as spyware scanner,
http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm