 The
internet revolution has changed the world – the way we work,
the way we play, the way we manage things, communicate... Today, the
internet is nearly all-pervasive. And, alongside all the good things,
it has also spawned a parallel world of computer viruses and spyware.
Almost all of us are aware – even if vaguely – of
what computer viruses are, and almost any computer sold today has basic
anti-virus protection installed. But, very few of us are aware of
spyware.
Wikipedia lists Spyware as "computer software that is installed
surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial
control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the
user's informed consent". Simply put, spyware is just what its name
says – it is software designed to spy on your computer and
internet usage.
Companies make money by monitoring what you do with your computer, to
figure out what kind of websites, products or information you are
interested in, and then supply this information to others who, among
other things, then bombard you with spam mail which they feel you might
be interested in. Many such monitoring spyware can take over your web
browser and direct you to websites from which they profit.
Not just sending you junk mail, spyware can do a lot of things. It can
help the masters of the particular spyware your computer is infected
with, to steal sensitive data from your computer. Your personal or
financial data, files related to your work, your family
pictures… There are a thousand things on almost every
computer that a hacker looks for. They might even put your computer to
use for their spamming, hacking, or other such activities. Spyware is
actually an intrusion into your privacy.
Yes, such programs and activity are completely illegal. However, the
internet being a large and complicated network of computers from all
over the world, it is hard to monitor it completely and efficiently.
The more vigilant authorities grow, the more devious the hackers get.
Every day new spyware and other bad programs get released online.
Safeguarding your computer from spyware, and removing any that might
have already crept in undetected should, therefore, be high on your
priorities. It is not very hard to do either. There are a variety of
protection and scanning software available over the internet itself,
which would help you combat spyware, and to purge your computer system
of it. There are programs for this which are free, as well those that
you have to pay to use. It depends upon the kind of features the
particular software has, and also the extent of protection it offers.
Nowadays, many anti-virus programs come bundled with anti-spyware
software, too.
Knowing about the dangers associated with spyware, getting a good
anti-spyware should rank high on your priorities now, and you must take
immediate steps to remove all spyware
from your computer, and also to protect your computer from it, for the
future. |
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