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What is Spyware?
Spyware is the negative side effect of the Internet revolution. Many marketers have greater ability to learn about individuals and their habits and market to them accordingly. The way they access this information is by purchasing it from spyware operators. Those are people who pay other companies to put certain files on your computer that allow them to monitor your behavior online very accurately, without your knowledge. Unless you want to end up with a lot of pop ups, spam email, or perhaps stolen identity, you better find out whether you are exposed. And if you are, you need to protect yourself. Thankfully, there are many products that protect users from spyware.
There are several types of spyware:
Spyware: an application gathering information about your habits online that may send the data to some unknown site - aka "key loggers" or "keystroke capture parasites." (Not to be confused with "malware," which includes viruses, worms and Trojan horse programs.)
Adware: an application that pops up unsolicited advertisement windows and banners randomly or based on current browser content.
Hijackers: applications that change your browser home page, default search engine and even redirect you from sites you try to reach to others.
Cookies: small files that track data such as Web site preferences and passwords for repeat visits. spyware gathers and spreads this information without user knowledge.
The following are some of the “fun” things spyware can do:
- Loss of privacy. spyware keeps track of the web sites you visit and sends that information back to the spyware vendor who them sells the information to marketers.
- Reduced performance. spyware uses up your pc system resources making your pc slower.
- Trojan horse. spyware often uses a classic "trojan horse" tactic--like a virus.
- More advertising. Did you install a popup stopper but you are still getting pop ups? The ads you are getting may not be from the web site you are on, but from adware.
- System instability. Most spyware isn't very well tested or debugged, and there is no way to report bugs or obtain tech support which results in frequent crashes.
- Security risks. Some spyware has a built-in update feature that lets the spyware maker download new versions to your system to do more malicious activities.
Learn if your computer is protected. Scan it free now.
 
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