By George Norman
Added on 05 Oct 2009(6232 Views)



The term malware, which is a combination of malicious and software, is a program or software application that will try to make its way onto your computer without your acknowledging it. There are several types of malware out in the wild and they all are intrusive, hostile and annoying. Out of all these malware types we will focus on spyware. Spyware, as the name so adequately suggests, is used to spy on computer user. It compromises a system - without the user’s knowledge, since it is a type of malware - and stays there covertly gathering information about the computer user. And as if that was not enough, spyware can do these things also:

- install additional software applications
- hijack the browser (redirect the user to specific webpages)
- change computer settings
- cause the internet connection to act sluggishly and even disconnect the user from the internet
- change the browser’s homepage

Since it is all done covertly, you may not realize that your system has been compromised by spyware. There are some telltale signs that give spyware away:
  • Your browser’s homepage has been changed and not by you

  • New toolbars, link and favorites have been added to your browser

  • Your mouse pointer has changed unexpectedly

  • When you type the address of a certain webpage into the address bar, you are directed to some other webpage

  • You are blasted with popups. This happens even when you are no connected to the internet.

  • Your computer’s performance drops for no apparent reason

Tips and warnings
To combat spyware, security software developers have come up with antispyware applications. People with malicious intent realized that they could make an easy dollar by exploiting gullible users who want to protect their systems from spyware. So they came up with rogue antispyware applications – quite a few are presented in the Removal Guide section here on FindMySoft.
Please note that sometimes spyware will not give off any signs that would tip you off. Use a genuine, legitimate security software solution to scan your system and detect any infection signs.



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Tags: Spyware, Malware, Infection signs

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