What is Spyware

If you type the phrase “what is spyware” in your favorite search engine, your results will show several pages of definitions. At the most basic level, spyware is the name given to tracking software that is installed on your computer without your knowledge or consent.

There are many different names for and types of spyware. They generally fall into the following categories:

System Modification Software - This is a type of spyware that changes settings on your computer. Your home page may be changed, or your default media player modified. Some names for this type of spyware include browser hijackers or rootkits.
Tracking Software - This type of spyware is installed on a PC to gain information about the user’s internet habits, or in some cases to gather personal information about a user. This type of spyware can be active (as is the case with keylogger or keystroke logger programs), or can be more of a passive type (as is the case with the form of spyware called tracking cookies). Other names you might hear for this type of spyware include snoopware or screen scrapers.
Advertising Display Software - The most common name for this type of spyware is adware. It is a form of spyware that generates pop-up ads while you surf the net.
Remote Control Software - This is a form of spyware that allows remote access or control of your computer. Some common names for this type of spyware include backdoors, botnets and droneware.

How do you get Spyware?

The average PC user isn’t out on the internet actively looking for spyware. The fact is that spyware is all over the internet – but it’s hiding in places where you’d never think to look. Often when you download some free application or program from the net you’re also unknowingly installing spyware on your computer. Some places where you might get spyware include free screensavers or backgrounds, cartoon cursors, weather or news alerts, or messenger programs. Not every program or application you download for free from the internet will include spyware. There are a lot of legitimate programs and applications out there and it’s not fair to classify every one as a spyware producing application. But the fact is that every time you download a free program or application from the web you run the risk of having some form of spyware installed on your computer as well.

What can you do to protect your PC from Spyware?

Here are a few suggestions to help protect your PC from spyware:

Keep your antivirus and security patches up to date.
Don’t think you have to click “no” or “cancel” on a pop-up ad to get rid of it. IN Microsoft Windows use the ALT+F4 option, or click the “x” in the corner.
Download programs only from web sites you trust.
Use available tools such as Webroot’s Spy Sweeper to detect and delete adware, spyware and malware from your computer.

Webroot Spy Sweeper is an effective tool not only to clean spyware from your PC, but also to give you real time protection. It’s won the Editor’s Choice Award from PC Magazine several times. Plus Webroot Software Company is a member of the Anti-Spyware Coalition (ASC), an industry group formed to identify tools and best practices to improve the effectiveness of anti-spyware technology.

If you’re ready to rid your computer of spyware, click here to purchase Webroot Spy Sweeper today.