Alan Danbury - PC Support
Help Pages - Security tips when using the
Internet
Spyware
Spyware is the collective name for
programs which monitor your activity
on the Internet and either use it to direct your surfing or to report
back information to the author. Several spyware programs are advertised
as "enhancing your Web experience", and may add extra toolbars or
options to your browser. These may be search bars which push you
towards sites owned by the spyware's sponsors, or may add popups to
other search pages trying to attract your interest.
A more dangerous form of spyware is
a program which reports your
activity, possibly including keystrokes. In some cases this can include
Usernames and passwords which could allow your account to be hacked.
There are a number of programs which
will search for known spyware
programs and let you remove them. Two of the best known free ones are Spybot Search and
Destroy and AdAware. Microsoft also provide a product called
Windows
Defender for those running Windows XP or Vista.
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