by Craig Ardolino

Created on: January 20, 2011

A survey taken in 2005 concluded that 90 percent of all computers contain at least one type of spyware! Many computer users do not know what spyware is or how it can affect them personally. Once the threat is understood steps can be taken to prevent further infestation. Spyware is a software package that installs itself into a computer and hides itself neatly away so it is hard to detect. It may also use a another program as a shield so the common computer user does not know of its existence.

It may be easier for you if you image that Spyware looks like an everyday spider that tucks itself into your software. Once lodged its legs penetrate the wires in your computer that carry data from your computer to the internet. Once the connection is established, it begins to siphon out information.

There is a lot of information Spyware can accumulate and send back to its creator. The extent of data that is being retrieved depends solely on what the creator wants from you. There are a lot of Spyware programs that extract information on your shopping habits, or your Internet browsing choices. This is a mild Spyware that wasn’t created for malicious purposes, but these buggers can also obtain more personal information about you. There are people out there that sell names, addresses and phone numbers to telemarketing firms. A Hacker may develop a Spyware program to copy your contact lists and email addresses of family and friends. Or if that isn’t enough they can be made to obtain your credit card information, banking information, passwords, and identity information.

So the less information that you store and access, the less information Spyware can obtain. However, if your computer is being used like everyone else, then all of the information listed in the paragraph above and more is stored in your computer and is potentially open to Spyware.

We hope you find this scary and invasive, because it is. Your privacy can be taken away without you being aware of it. This is worse than house robbery!

If you have these little electronic bugs in your system there are a few telltale signs to help: There is a sudden drop in performance speed. You are suddenly low on memory and resources. Pop-up ads appear when you are off-line. Your hard drive is constantly working even if you are not working on the computer. It takes much longer to start up the computer. Components of Windows aren’t working normally. Common applications you use every day suddenly aren’t working

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