| Computers are an important aspect of many | | | | your passwords and pin numbers are stolen or |
| people's daily lives. It used to be that people used | | | | your family photos are downloaded to someone |
| their computer at work or at the library if they | | | | else's machine. |
| wanted to use it. Today most homes have one | | | | You can fight back with Spyware software. A |
| or more computers in them. Most users could not | | | | package such as spyblaster can clean your |
| imagine no longer having this tool to help them in | | | | system and help prevent new infections by |
| their daily lives. Computers are for work, pleasure | | | | updating itself to combat the new threats that |
| and productivity. Unfortunately though, there are | | | | spread like wildfire through cyberspace on a daily |
| hackers, crackers and hijackers out there looking | | | | basis. |
| to expose your vulnerabilities for their own gain. | | | | If you notice any unusual activities on your |
| Hackers can hack into your computer for their | | | | computer, you may be infected. Some |
| own means, crack your passwords and hijack | | | | symptoms of a Spyware infection are: |
| your homepage or hard drive and steal your | | | | -Slower than usual processes |
| personal information. Programs such as Spyware | | | | -Pop-up advertisements |
| can be downloaded secretly into your computer | | | | -A reset of your homepage to a different URL |
| and spread through your machine to watch and | | | | -Unusual errors |
| report your every move. Those who are under | | | | Running a trusted anti-spyware software package |
| the illusion that their computer is safe from | | | | that continually protects your pc and your privacy |
| hackers freely chat, send and receive pictures, | | | | is as important as shielding your password at the |
| have instant messaging conversations about the | | | | ATM machine. You want to be assured of your |
| very personal details of their life and probably pay | | | | privacy and the only way to effectively do this is |
| bills online or shop for things online with their credit | | | | by shielding your computer against these types of |
| cards. | | | | threats. How do you know you can trust your |
| The programs that may be lurking on your hard | | | | anti-spyware software? Choose a software |
| drive could be sending reports without your | | | | package that provides support on an on-going |
| knowledge out into a hacker's e-mail account so | | | | basis and avoid freeware packages. Many |
| that they can do many things including steal your | | | | freeware or shareware spyware software |
| identity. | | | | packages are merely spyware themselves, |
| Some hackers simply reset your homepage to a | | | | masquerading as a fix for spyware. Dealing with a |
| bunch of advertisements that they hope you will | | | | package that will support you with on-going |
| click on in order to earn them more money. | | | | definition updates is the best way to combat this |
| Other programs disrupt your daily operations while | | | | continuing problem. |