Is it good or bad to have spyware in your computer? Can ad-aware remove all of the stuff people put into your to track your actions? Can that really even be done? I heard that if you open an e-mail that has been "infected" then that leaves somebody from a remote area to track what you do on the computer?
2007-01-16 19:11:46 · 10 answers · asked by geminicatlver 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Spyware is any software designed to collect user personal information and send it out through a background Internet connection without the user's knowledge and consent. Spyware silently tracks user's web browsing habits, records visited web sites and logs taken actions. This activity allows spyware vendors to gather data for marketing and advertising purposes.
Spyware form and functionality may vary depending on vendor intentions. However, a particular program that uses an Internet connection to transfer data, which can be used to identify the user, is always classified as spyware.
Some programs mistakenly called spyware actually do not collect any vital information about the user and use a background Internet channel to transfer general statistics. They do not steal your name, contacts or any other details and therefore do not violate your privacy. Lots of legal advertising applications or ad-supported products such as a legitimate web browser Opera fall into this category. Although legal adware programs potentially are able to spy on a user, they shouldn't be accused of privacy violation, as proper use of adware is a legal revenue model for many software companies that allows to distribute complex commercial products for free.
ad-aware is able to remove spyware, adware and some other threats, but remember to keep it up-to-date as well as other security programs.
2007-01-16 20:00:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2
2016-08-27 16:20:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spywares are bad news. They collect your browsing habits. Based from your browsing habit, you will get popups when you start browsing the net. This is bad news for you as you don't want ads popping up when you browse.
More often, a spyware removal software won't do the whole job, but they help. None of these programs have been successful. Ever. Most spywares are also Trojan Viruses (Worms replicating themselves again and again), so they sort of live even after having them removed (as they have procreated even before you had them zapped). Running an anti-virus software like McAfee also helps. A lot.
You may also opt to stop them manually. Some spywares appear at your Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DELETE for Windows XP users by default). If you are doubtful about a running program, Google it up. If they don't appear to have an entry that says "Programname.exe-Process Information" at the top of the search results, normally it's spyware. Stop it manually.
There are some ways to avoid them:
1. Don't just click on links, especially if the email they came from is unsolicited. Opening an email won't hurt. Clicking on a link might.
2. When messages popup, read. Don't just click YES, read. If you don't understand something, Google it up.
3. Avoid adult sites or sites giving away free CD keys. They usually have popups under them that results to you having a spyware installed.
4. Use a browser with a popup blocker. When all else fails and you get popups, use one. A browser with popup blocket helps you avoid those popups that results to you having a spyware installed.
5. If you find yourself desperately bombed by a spyware, backup your files and reinstall your Operating System. Learn from this experience then on. See, bad news.
Hope that helped.
2007-01-16 19:58:50 · answer #3 · answered by mistral_reload 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually spyware just downloads files or collects info. Most of the time it wont **** up your computer but alot of times if your infected with spyware it means a hacker downloaded it to your computer ftp/http to collect on some cash in this case you may will be stolen of personal information or used to attack others.
2007-01-17 04:35:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spyware does mainly 2 bad things. It tells others stuff about you and what you are doing. It uses up your processing power which results in reduced performance of your pc. It is not as malicious as viruses which are meant to intentionally harm your pc or trojans which are meant to use your pc to hurt others.
Ad-aware can remove some of these. I suggest that plus Spybot-Search and Destroy. These 2 free programs get rid of most spyware.
2007-01-16 19:18:04 · answer #5 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use adaware, that will get rid of spyware.
Spyware exists so people/companies can monitor what websites you look at & can basically see everything you do online. Not really harmful but if you have spyware on your comp, it means that big brother is definately watching you!
2007-01-16 19:16:59 · answer #6 · answered by Meeeee! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is get a really good antivirus. Most of them support adware and spyware detection. I trust my system to Avast. it is a free virus scanner that will scan all email before you can access it!! got www.avast.com. And ad-aware is one of the most popular software choices available.
2007-01-16 19:16:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is all true.
Here is an excellent securiy strategy that I am quoting from someone else's reply to a similar concern.
Follow it & you will be protected :
**** QUOTE****
You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall OR
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo firewall.
You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/... -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus
You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org... - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
Also use Microsoft Defender and their online scans.
And these are useful utilities;
http://www.mozilla.com/ - Firefox web browser.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com...
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spy... - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
https://www.grc.com - Shields Up security site, check your firewall works.
Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.
****UNQUOTE****
regards,
Philip T
2007-01-16 19:17:54 · answer #8 · answered by Philip T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
adaware se personal
www.lavasoft.com
get update, reboot and do a full scan
spyware is bad in that it reports back to a server/person your website habbits and other info about you
2007-01-16 20:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by great one 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spyware isnt good at all.. trust me get spy emergency it will protect your computer from all harmful files infecting your computer
2007-01-16 19:15:37 · answer #10 · answered by e7daniel 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋