I always get confused with what Spyware and freeware is, and all the othere "ware" things lol, i would like to install a program which prevents such things getting to my PC, but if i do install them it slows down my PC
2006-12-03 04:39:39 · 9 answers · asked by steve 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Freeware is a program that is "free". Most freeware is safe and useful. I run several free programs on my PC.
One of the dangers of "freeware" is that they may install a "malware" on your computer hidden inside the free program. The "freeware" makers make their money from getting paid a few cents each to infect your computer with the malware.
Malware is a broad catagory of malicious or harmful software programs. They can be separated into smaller groups like:
Ad programs - cause popups and other annoys ads to appear on you computer.
Spyware - reads information for your computer (what web sites you visit is most common) and sends it to the owner of the program. May also be used to steal information like passwords, credit card numbers, etc.
Key Loggers - program that records everything you type on your computer (it logs the keys) into a file and sends it to someone
Trojan - A Trojan is a way to deliver a malware, not the malware itself. It is the act of hiding a harmful program inside of something that you want to install on your computer
None of these are detected by (most) virus scanners. They are not viruses, so they are not detected. You need to run a good spyware detector like Skybot Seek&Destroy and/or Ad-aware. Both free at download.com. Neither will slow your PC because they do not run "all the time" like some programs. They only run when you run them. (Which you should do about once a week or if you suspect you are infected).
2006-12-03 04:53:14 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-23 22:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware is bad - it collects your activities and information and sends it back to the developer. It supposedly isn't as bad as a virus, because it doesn't destroy your information or send itself to other people from your e-mail, or some of the other virus activities. However, it can be very invasive to your privacy and potentially will allow unscrupulous people to use your accounts and even give them access to your money.
Freeware is software available on line that people have developed for anyone to use. Frankly, it sometimes has Spyware with it, in order to gain either information or even money for the developer. Sometimes Freeware will contain viruses.
Not all Freeware has spyware or viruses and can be very useful. In fact, there are some great Freeware programs that BLOCK Spyware or let you get rid of it.
My favorite is "Spybot - Search and Destroy". The developer asks for donations, but it is perfectly free and you can get regular updates, too.
2006-12-03 04:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by nw_big_skies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freeware is not something you should worry about. Freeware is a program that is distributed free of charge, like Audacity.
You don't have to worry about Shareware either. That is software that will be free for a while, then will need to be payed for to use later on.
What you do have to worry about is Spyware and Adware.
If you are looking for a Spyware and Adware program, I highly suggest getting Spybot and Adaware. Alone, they are each good programs, but each one really catches things that the other one misses.
Yes, it does slow down your computer, but it is most definitely worth it, and it shouldn't slow it down that much.
2006-12-03 04:44:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shareware - software available on the internet where you are requested to pay for it after a trial period. Sometimes the program will stop running, sometimes some features won't work, and sometimes they just trust your honesty.
Freeware - software available on the internet that is absolutely free.
Adware - a program usually stuck in with other software that cause ads to pop up while online.
Spyware - a program usually stuck in with other software that spies on what you are doing and sends it to someone on the internet.
Always get the first two from a trusted site and you will not get the second two.
2006-12-03 04:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spyware is bad. Freeware means free
2006-12-03 04:43:43 · answer #6 · answered by dj_j65 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
freeware - a free programme
software - a programme in general
spyware - a type of computer virus
hardware - a computer peripheral (e.g scanner)
underwear - clothing
2006-12-03 04:43:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
to install anitspyware you can
spybot > Ad-Aware personal > A-aquard < AVG-antispyware
them and you dont have to have them run from start up
2006-12-03 04:44:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://spyware.dugancom.com
2006-12-03 05:01:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋