Spyware is computer software that is surreptitiously installed on a personal computer to intercept or partially control a user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent. loggers, pests and more. “Spyware” is often used to refer to all malicious software other than viruses. I prefer the term “malware” as it is a bit more descriptive. This page is to remove any type of malware.
Unlike viruses and worms, spyware does not usually replicate itself. Like many recent viruses; however, spyware by design takes advantage of infected computers for commercial gain.
Typical tactics that further this goal include the delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers, other account details); tracking of web browsing activity for marketing purposes; o routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.
Spyware may also come bundled with Shareware or other downloadable software, as well as music CDs. The user downloads a program and installs it, and the installer additionally installs the Spyware. While desirable software itself may not do any harm, bundled spyware does. In some cases, spyware authors have paid shareware authors to include spyware in their software. In other cases, spyware authors have repackaged desirable free software with installers that add spyware.
A third way of distributing spyware is to trick users by manipulating security features designed to prevent unwanted installations. Internet Explorer prevents websites from starting an unwanted download. Instead, it requires a user action, such as clicking a link. However, the links can be misleading: for example, a pop-up ad can appear as a standard Windows dialog box. The box contains a message such as “Would you like to optimize your Internet access?” with links that look like Yes and No buttons. No matter which “button” the user presses, a download is initiated and the spyware is placed on the user’s system. Later versions of Internet Explorer offer fewer avenues for this attack.
How it affects, effects and behaviors
A Spyware program is rarely alone on a computer: an affected machine can quickly become infected with many other components. Users frequently notice unwanted behavior and system performance degradation. A spyware infestation can create significant unwanted CPU activity, disk usage, and network traffic, all of which slow down your computer. Stability issues such as app or system-wide crashes are also common. Spyware, which interferes with network software, often causes difficulties connecting to the Internet.
In some infections, the spyware isn’t even obvious. Users assume in these situations that the problems are related to hardware, Windows installation problems, or a virus. Some owners of severely infected systems resort to contacting technical support experts or even buying a new computer because the existing system “has gotten too slow.” Severely infected systems may require a clean reinstall of all your software to return to full functionality.
Many spyware programs display advertisements. Some programs simply display pop-up ads on a regular basis; for example, one every several minutes, or one when the user opens a new browser window. Others display advertisements in response to specific sites the user visits. Spyware operators present this feature as desirable to advertisers, who can buy ad placement in pop-up windows that are displayed when the user visits a particular site. It is also one of the purposes for which spyware programs collect information about user behavior.
Many users also complain about annoying or offensive ads. As with many banner ads, many spyware ads use flashing or animated banner ads that can distract and visually annoy users. Porn pop-up ads are often displayed indiscriminately. Links to these sites can be added to the browser window, history, or search function. When children are the users, this could potentially violate anti-pornography laws in some jurisdictions.
Antispyware programs often report web advertisers’ HTTP cookies, the small text files that track browsing activity, as spyware. While not always inherently malicious, many users object to third parties using space on their personal computers for commercial purposes, and many anti-spyware programs offer to remove them.
It is recommended that users DO NOT INSTALL any free software that claims to be anti-spyware unless it is verified to be legitimate. Some known criminals include:
virus gold
virus
Errorsafe (aka system doctor)
MacSweeper
PAL Spyware Remover
pest trap
PS Guard
spyware strike
Spyware Quake Spydawn
spylocked
spyshredder
spy bailiff
spy wiper
Ultimate Cleaner
WinAntiVirus Pro 2006
winfixer
antispyworld
