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Spyware in Your PC
Does
your computer seem slow? Do strange screens pop up in
front of you while you are working, advertising some
Casino or must-have computer program? Does your PC
freeze up regularly, or want you to send error
messages off to Microsoft?
If
this sounds like your computer, then your PC is
infected with Spyware. Spyware is a general term for a
group of various Internet programs that download and
install themselves onto your PC. Spyware, also known
as Malware or Adware, comes in through your Internet
connection, usually without your knowledge. Most
Spyware is designed to collect information about your
Internet habits, such as which websites you visit, and
which search words you most commonly use. These
Internet programs then send this information back to
the Spyware creators. Common programs that do this are
GAIN Publishing, BonziBuddy, MyWebSearch, Smiley
Central, FunWebProducts, CoolWWWSearch, Dashbar and
HotBar.
The
more dangerous types of Spyware however are known as
Trojan Horses. These Internet programs severely affect
the day to day running of your computer. Some Trojans
Horse programs record things like your passwords, your
email addresses, and your bank details, and send this
information back to the Spyware creators. Some Trojans
corrupt your Internet browser, preventing you from
accessing secure websites, such as your bank or email
accounts. Still other types affect the operating
system itself, making your PC behave erratically,
usually to the despair of its owner.
Thankfully,
there are several good ways of removing and preventing
Spyware. We use and highly recommend the free program
Spybot – Search & Destroy v1.4. This program can
be downloaded from our website, under the Downloads
section. Once installed, this program searches for
over 30,000 different types of Spyware. It will remove
any Spyware it finds on your PC, and also block the
major types from re-entering.
Along
with Spybot, we use and recommend the free Internet
firewall called Sygate Personal Firewall. Internet
firewalls act much like a nightclub bouncer—they
monitor everything that comes in or goes out of your
Internet connection. Windows XP with SP2 already comes
with a good firewall. For the other versions of
Windows, we find Sygate an excellent program.
With
these two programs, both of which are obtainable for
free from our website, we have been able to keep out
Spyware from our customers’ computers. Spybot and
Sygate, along with a good Antivirus program, will
ensure your computer runs smoothly and properly.
We
can assist you should you need any help in removing
and preventing Spyware. You can contact us on 4163
8061, or email us at info@mcsyarraman.com.au.
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