what is spyware? and is there any free ANTI spyware tool or something that would get rid of it? and block it from ever coming back again? please. please.
2006-07-31 16:52:07 · 11 answers · asked by ciena 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Spyware:
In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.
In simpler terms, spyware is a type of program that watches after what users do with their computer and then send this information over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious versions can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popups with advertisements.
Remedies and prevention:
As the spyware threat has worsened, a number of techniques have emerged to counteract it. These include programs designed to remove or to block spyware, as well as various user practices which reduce the chance of getting spyware on a system.
Nonetheless, spyware remains a costly problem. When a large number of pieces of spyware have infected a Windows computer, the only remedy may involve backing up user data, and fully reinstalling the operating system.
Anti-spyware programs:
Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, one of a few reliable freeware anti-spyware programs, after scanning the hard drive of an infected Windows XP system.Many programmers and some commercial firms have released products designed to remove or block spyware. Steve Gibson's OptOut, mentioned above, pioneered a growing category. Programs such as Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE and Patrick Kolla's Spybot - Search & Destroy rapidly gained popularity as effective tools to remove, and in some cases intercept, spyware programs. More recently Microsoft acquired the GIANT AntiSpyware software, rebadging it as Windows AntiSpyware beta and releasing it as a free download for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows 2003 users. In early spring, 2006, Microsoft renamed the beta software to Windows Defender, currently "beta 2." The renamed software for now exists as a time-limited beta test product that will expire (beta 1 in July 2006, and beta 2 in December, 2006). Microsoft has also announced that the product will ship (for free) with Windows Vista. Other well-known anti-spyware products include Webroot Spy Sweeper, Trend Micro's Anti-Spyware, PC Tools' Spyware Doctor, ParetoLogic's XoftSpy, iS3's STOPzilla and Sunbelt's CounterSpy (which uses a forked codebase from the GIANT Anti-Spyware product).
Major anti-virus firms such as Symantec, McAfee and Sophos have come later to the table, adding anti-spyware features to their existing anti-virus products. Early on, anti-virus firms expressed reluctance to add anti-spyware functions, citing lawsuits brought by spyware authors against the authors of web sites and programs which described their products as "spyware". However, recent versions of these major firms' home and business anti-virus products do include anti-spyware functions, albeit treated differently from viruses. Symantec Anti-Virus, for instance, categorizes spyware programs as "extended threats" and now offers real-time protection from them (as it does for viruses).
Read up! Its all you need to know! Enjoy!
2006-07-31 16:54:41 · answer #1 · answered by Skippy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-27 19:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Adware). It is a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users. There are several large media companies that offer them to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid. If you find the banners annoying, there is usually an option to remove them, by paying the regular licensing fee.
Why is it called "Spyware" ?
While this may be a great concept, the downside is that the advertising companies also install additional tracking software on your system, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.....
Are all Adware products "Spyware"?
No, but the majority are. There are also products that do display advertising but do not install any tracking mechanism on your system. These products are not indexed in our database.
Is Spyware illegal?
Even though the name may indicate so, Spyware is not an illegal type of software in any way. However there are certain issues that a privacy oriented user may object to and therefore prefer not to use the product. This usually involves the tracking and sending of data and statistics via a server installed on the user's PC and the use of your Internet connection in the background.
What's the hype about?
While legitimate adware companies will disclose the nature of data that is collected and transmitted in their privacy statement (linked from our database), there is almost no way for the user to actually control what data is being sent. The fact is that the technology is in theory capable of sending much more than just banner statistics - and this is why many people feel uncomfortable with the idea.
On the other hand...
Millions of people are using advertising supported "spyware" products and could not care less about the privacy hype..., in fact some "Spyware" programs are among the most popular downloads on the Internet.
Real spyware...
There are also many PC surveillance tools that allow a user to monitor all kinds of activity on a computer, ranging from keystroke capture, snapshots, email logging, chat logging and just about everything else. These tools are often designed for parents, businesses and similar environments, but can be easily abused if they are installed on your computer without your knowledge.
These tools are perfectly legal in most places, but, just like an ordinary tape recorder, if they are abused, they can seriously violate your privacy.
For more information, check out these great resources: GRC.com
The Trouble With Advertising-Supported Software
Adware, Badware & Spyware Profiles
Usenet discussions about spyware
2006-07-31 16:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is a program that keep tracks of what your website visiting behavior. Basically it keep tracks of websites u have visited and could cause your computer to slow down. Always have a spyware scanner on hand, and run it evertime you are done using the computer. Hope this helps. Hence "spy". ;)
2006-07-31 16:56:45 · answer #4 · answered by Richard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware simply is a program that enables other person to look inside your computer and also he is able to crash your computer you can sence that you got spyware when your computer starts to hang up or getting to be slow when you are opening files and folders in your pc.. you can download a version of spybot for free in http://www.oldversion.com
2006-07-31 17:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by Dahlia J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is software that allows someone else to see what is happening on your computer which means your personal files are not personal. There is also software that can allow nasty people to use your computer to do things such as send spam, they don't physically come to your place but use your computers unique ID.
2006-07-31 16:56:33 · answer #6 · answered by StatIdiot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar. firefox cann't delete spyware, but it can disable any adware and spyware to run in your browser.
besides, firefox can block any any poppus and disable any virus and adware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE. as you know, most of the virus is spread throught internet and webpage.
firefox can edit which site/popup to block and unblock.
firefox is much smaller than IE, so i run faster than IE.
download firefox for free:
http://www.adcenter.net.cn/firefox/
Best Wishes && Good Luck!
2006-07-31 21:37:59 · answer #7 · answered by good_firefox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't like the patriot act, then spyware is total nazi fascism.
Download Spybot from download.com.
2006-07-31 16:54:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spy ware: Simply put, is so company's can look into your computer, Internet habits and enough of it can slow your PC to a crawl or make it crash.
2006-07-31 16:56:29 · answer #9 · answered by yager19 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This site will explain it simply. No geekese to wade through.
http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/computer_privacy_and_security.htm
2006-07-31 16:55:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋