Spyware Article
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What Is Spyware
Spyware is considered malware or malicious software that is installed on your computer without your knowledge. Spyware compromises your privacy by spying on your computer habits and it also exposes your computer to malicious attacks from hackers. Once it is installed, it will run in the background undetected. Without anti-spyware software, you would not know the existence of spyware on your computer.
Spyware is not a computer virus. Spyware does not replicate itself to other computers. Anti virus software usually does not detect spyware unless it has the characteristics of a virus or it is bundled with the virus.
What Does Spyware Do?
Spyware installs itself on your computer without your consent. Once the spyware is installed on your computer, it starts performing all sort of different annoying, threatening and harmful tasks on your computer. These unwanted tasks running on your computer are threats to you and your family. Below are several threats that you and or your family may be exposed to if your computer is infected by Spyware:
- It Invades Your Privacy:
As soon as the spyware is installed on your computer, it starts monitoring your online activity actively. It will then transmit the gathered information to the spyware creators. Some marketing companies are involved in using spyware to monitor online activity of their target market unethically. - It Steals Confidential Information:
Spyware is very dangerous because it is a tool that is used by hackers or identity thefts to steal confidential information such as credit card information and social security numbers from your computer. - It Redirects You To Undesired Websites:
A less intrusive version of spyware called adware. Adware is normally bundled with freeware or shareware. By agreeing to end user licensing agreements of the freeware, you are also agreed to install the adware. This version of spyware generates targeted pop-up ads. Some of these ads will direct you to undesired websites such as adult or gambling websites. These are not the things you want to show on your computer especially when you are sharing your computer with your children. - It Slows Your System:
Spyware is running in the background utilizing CPU resources to do all sorts of things including collecting information and transmitting information to the creator. Spyware degrades the performance of your computer. It also affects the stability of your operating system. - It Exposes Your Computer to Hacker's Attacks:
Spyware can allow installation of a back door on your computer that allows hackers to hijack your computer from a remote location. They will then use your computer to launch malicious attack on other computers on the Internet. They can also use your computer as a host to send out thousands of spams.
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