My friend left her computer in to be fixed and the guy said she had 295 spywares on it. We don't even know what a spyware is, exactly. Is it a virus? Thanks in advance to anyone who helps me with this.
2006-10-14 11:52:33 · 21 answers · asked by Rachel Maria 6 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
It's not a virus, it's a little file that can be downloaded to your computer without you knowing about it, just from you doing things like visiting certain websites or opening emails.
Some are harmless and companies just use them to see how you use their websites, but some are malicious and try to steal your personal information by sending little electronic messages out to the criminals who originated them. (These messages do not go through your email account so you won't see them).
Best thing to do is check out www.getsafeonline.org - this is a government run website backed by a number of major banks and other internet companies, it explains things in a basic fashion and also has links to free anti-spyware software you can download such as 'Ad-aware' and 'Spybott'.
As a rule, you should also ensure you have up-to-date antivirus, up-to-date patches and a Firewall on your PC to ensure you are secure. Again, the above website details all of these.
I know it sounds complicated at first, but it's worth getting to grips with it, then you know you don't have to worry about it in future.
Good Luck.
2006-10-14 12:14:19 · answer #1 · answered by Cherry 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is a small program that can do anything from recording and reporting your surfing habits to opening a door to a virus. There are alot of spyware tools out there designed to find and remove these parasites from your system.
Here is a few good ones
Ad-aware se-( Free ) for the personal edition but excellent
Windows defender
Spy-bot search and destroy
2006-10-14 18:58:25 · answer #2 · answered by SUPERSTAR X 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is basically a tracking program which collects personal information about you without your consent. It tracks and records the web pages you visit and the files you download. The people responsible for putting this tracking program (spyware) onto your computer are then able to create a profile about you which they can then sell or pass on to advertisers or third parties.
Your computer slowing down, refusing to do what you have asked it, shutting down by itself and in extreme cases refusing to start altogether, is usually a good indicator that the KGB have taken up residence on your hard drive.
So basically what you need to do is send in MI6, please refrain from using those CIA cowboys, to root out and quarantine the spyware to a high security prison.
ie. Use a good anti-virus program. Most ISP's (Internet Service Providers - like AOL, NTL, BT etc.) Offer free comprehensive anti-virus protection which includes anti-spyware, pop-up blocker etc.
2006-10-14 19:28:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For spyware run at least 2 different spyware programs. There are many. Free ones include Spybot Search & Destroy and Adaware, which I recommend and use. You should also use virus protection and of many free options I usually recommend AVG from Grisoft. They also have a good trojan protection program in beta now. For an immediate problem run HijackThis and post the log at the site and someone there will help you with spyware removal.
Links to the above mentioned software:
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-virus-free-edition/lng/us/tpl/tpl01
http://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10379544.html
2006-10-14 19:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by spookiestone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
You know you have it if your computer doesn't do what you want it to do, or runs slow, or runs by itself.
You get rid of spyware by either paying for software or getting free ones to do it, ie; windows defender, spybot, adaware.
2006-10-14 18:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is simply a tracking cookie that follows your online activity and records your passwords. To remove them, Ad-Aware SE does good work. You can also get Spyware blaster to block spyware.
2006-10-14 19:00:12 · answer #6 · answered by nighthawk_842003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well a spyware is something thats doing things on your computer without your premission like your ocmputer operates by itself it moves by itself does thigns byitself or so i heard but wait 295 spywares??? god!!!!! thats alot i had only one once on my computer and it wa slike damn and no it is not a virus but if you dont fix it soon it is goin be a virus on your computer very soon
2006-10-14 18:58:06 · answer #7 · answered by carlos s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a website that you can download the AD-AWARE SE for free. just download it and install it. start the program and update it(for free), then start the scan. it will autimatically quarintine the spyware and then delete them. this program is very safe to use and WILL NOT DELETE ANY INTEGRAL PROGRAMS. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
2006-10-14 19:30:55 · answer #8 · answered by sparkplug_hd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Spyware Blaster" is a program that helps block spyware from running on your computer. It's also free.
You can find it here....
2006-10-14 18:57:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run the norton spyware scan if you have the latest yahoo toolbar! If you dont have it, download it!
2006-10-14 18:55:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋