Spyware and You

What is Spyware?

The better question to ask is, “what can spyware not do to my computer”. In short, spyware is capable of hijacking all aspects of your computer. This type of breach in your computers security could put you at significant risk. With this type of spyware installed a user could steal your personal information like:

• Banking Information
• Personal Details to steal your identity
• Web Activity
• Personal Communications
• .. and much more..

Types of Spyware

• • Corporate Spyware (a.k.a Domestic Spyware): This spyware is often bundled with commercial software. This is legal in nature as often the end user agrees to the software in the terms and conditions. This type spyware is often not as malicious as other spyware. Usually this type of spyware monitors web activity and sends that data back to a central system (for monetization).

• • Adware: This type of spyware hijacks your pc to inject advertisements. If you have ever experienced unexpected popups on your pc, this type of Adware is the cause.

• • Browser Toolbars/Browser Hijackers: Like Adware, this type of spyware infects your Web Browser to alter your web browsing experience. This type of spyware can:
    • Change your homepage or search provider
    • Inject adertisements onto pages
    • Redirect you to places you did not click

How to Avoid Getting Spyware

Nothing can guarantee the security of your computer, but there’s some steps you can take to help lower the chances that your computer will become infected.

Use a firewall

Using a firewall is like locking the front door on your house-it helps keep hackers or malicious software from getting in. Windows Firewall is included in Windows and is turned on by default.

Update your software

Microsoft releases security updates frequently every month. Launch Microsoft Update on your pc to confirm that you have automatic updating turned on and that you’ve downloaded and installed all the latest critical and security updates.

Adjust Internet Explorer security settings

You can adjust the security settings in your web browser to specify how much information you want to share with a website.

Most experts recommends that you set the security settings for the Internet zone to Medium or higher. (If you use Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP Service Pack 2 and you use Internet Explorer to browse the web, your browser security settings for the Internet zone are set to Medium by default.)

Internet Explorer 10 includes a few nifty features, such as SmartScreen Filter, to help protect against malware, spyware, and many other kinds of malicious, deceptive, or unwanted software.