Spyware - Another Blow to Internet Security
by Michael Casamento

It has recently been estimated that more than 90% of all Internet users have Spyware on their computers. As with any battle, knowing your enemy will prove to be your best defense in the fight for Internet Security. We are all potential victims, but there are ways to defend ourselves from this latest threat.

What Is Spyware?
Spyware is a term used to refer to several different types of programs that install themselves onto your computer, and are primarily designed to track information and report it back to interested parties. More formally, Spyware is part of a larger group known as "Malware", which includes malicious programs such as Viruses.

Most people view Spyware to be less threatening than a Virus, however in reality, Spyware can be even more lethal. The primary difference between a Virus and Spyware, is that a Virus is self replicating, and can be spread to infect other computers. Spyware on the other hand, specifically targets you and your private information.

Spyware comes in several forms and can be relatively benign to outright dangerous. One of the most common types of Spyware is known as Adware. There are many companies and individuals who would love to know exactly what you are using your computer for. This knowledge can be used to assess market demands, and deliver targeted ads onto your desktop. Adware is primarily distributed by software developers who offer their products free of charge, and subsidize their efforts by bundling Adware programs along with their software.

Spyware can be used to track the web sites you visit, read your keystrokes, and steal your personal information such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers, and account numbers. Since you are not even aware of their presence, Spyware programs can run uninhibited, and perform their dastardly deeds while you go about your everyday business.

The effects of Spyware on your computer are wide ranging and can include:
Degradation of computer performance Bombarding users with annoying pop-up ads Resetting your browser's Home Page Adding items to your Favorites List Hard drive corruption Identity theft

How Do You Get Spyware?
The most common source of Spyware is FREE software. The old saying that nothing in life is free applies here as well. It costs money to develop software, and even more money to maintain a web site for distribution. To help pay for this, most so called "FREE" software will include some type of Spyware program for which the developer gets paid by advertisers who are interested in collecting your information. It seems like a win-win situation; the developer gets paid, you get free software, and everyone is happy. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, and this type of Spyware can result in annoying Pop-Up ads that are both frustrating and distracting.

Perhaps the most popular form of FREE software programs are those used for peer to peer file sharing. Such programs will install Spyware onto your computer, and in most cases the Spyware is required for software to work. In such cases you will have to either remove the software entirely, or just learn to live with it.

Opening spam email messages is another way of getting Spyware. It's a good idea to delete these messages immediately instead of opening them. Once they are opened the installation script will kick in and install the Spyware without your knowledge.

Like computer viruses, Spyware is just something we'll have to get used to living with. Spyware programs can be hidden just about anywhere, making it almost impossible to prevent them from invading your machine. If you surf the Internet, use eMail, or share files, sooner or later Spyware will find its way onto your computer.

How To Remove Spyware
The only efficient way to rid your computer of Spyware it is to use specialized Anti-Spyware software. Similar to Anti-Virus software, a Spyware remover will scan your system in search of hidden Spyware files. Once the Spyware files have been detected, they can be quarantined to a secure location where they can later be deleted. Quarantined files can be restored in case they were misidentified as Spyware, or are required in order for a particular program to operate, such as with certain file sharing software.

Your system should be scanned at least once a week, even if you haven't installed any new downloadable software. In the event that you have installed new software, you should scan your system immediately after the installation is completed. The best Spyware removers will even let you schedule a scan to launch automatically during off hours.

Catching Spyware after it has been installed on your computer is great, but it would be much better to stop the Spyware from installing itself in the first place. Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software is a program I highly recommend on my web site, and it can do just that. It constantly monitors your system, and blocks most unauthorized Spyware installation attempts. It can also detect and stop Spyware from changing your Home Page or adding entries to your Favorites List.

When evaluating Anti-Spyware software keep in mind that at the very least it should be able to detect the following:

> Adware
> Key Loggers
> Dialers
> Toolbars
> Tracking Cookies
> Registry Keys

Although this may be a good starting point, don't let it be your only criteria for choosing the best software. Just because a program can detect the presence of Spyware, does not guarantee that it will be 100% effective at removing it. Don't skimp on your Anti-Spyware software! When you consider the consequences, the extra security is well worth the price.

Conclusion
Connecting your computer to the Internet is kind of like sending your child out into the world for the first time. It opens the door to the many threats just waiting for their next victim to come along. Fortunately, today there are many good software programs designed to seek out and remove Spyware from your computer. When you consider the effects that unchecked Spyware can have on your life, you really don't have much choice but to defend yourself. Like good Anti-Virus software, a Spyware remover should be an integral part of your security software arsenal.

Written By: Michael Casamento

Michael Casamento is the founder of SpywarePI.com offering information on Adware and Spyware, including recommendations of top rated Anti-Spyware software.

For more information please visit: http://www.spywarepi.com

This article may be freely reproduced so long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.

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