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Spyware , the new threat for networked computers

Like a good anti-virus software package it is necessary also to run checks on your system to prevent spyware from causing your system to slow down or do things that you would rather not have done. For our Internet access client we offer free anti-virus software and free spyware software to help protect your system from these threats.

My Computer's Acting Weird
Spyware refers to any software that continuously gathers the information through user's Internet connection without his/her knowledge or consent, usually for advertising purposes. [On the Internet where spyware is sometimes called a spybot (spelled all lower case) or tracking software]. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be mentioned that the majority of freeware and shareware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, it has the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard-drive, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the web browser, consistently relaying this information back to the spyware owner who will either use it for advertising or marketing purposes or sell it to other interested party. Spyware can also gather information about Email addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Besides user's privacy, spyware steals information by using the computer's memory resources of user and also by eating bandwidth as it sends information back to the "spyware owner through the Internet connection. Even more, the applications running of spyware in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability.

The installation of spyware on your computer can be initiated by visiting a web site, viewing an HTML e-mail message or by clicking a popup window. The download process is unannounced so that you will remain unconscious that your computer has been infected by spyware. The deceptive method of filling your computer with tracking software you didn't request is called a drive-by download. If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, maybe your computer has been infected with spyware or other undesirable software.

• Expensive phone bill
Your phone bill includes expensive calls to 900 numbers that you never made—probably at an outrageous per-minute rate.

• My computer seems sluggish
My computer suddenly seems very slow when opening programs or processing tasks. The practice that the resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer .The applications running of spyware in the background (backchannel) can lead to system crashes or general system instability. lf you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine.

• Endless pop-up windows; random windows error messages appear
I see pop-up advertisements or random windows error messages all along. Once your computer is infected, spyware will sit on your cornputer and do a series of things. Often you get pop-ups in your browser window at random. lf you see pop-up ads all along while your turning on your or even not browsing the web maybe your computer has been infected with spyware or other undesirable software.

• Reset home pages
My computer redirect to unwanted web site, and browser's home page suddenly changes. Spyware or some undesirable software has the ability to change your home page or search results. Even if you know how to reset these settings, you may find that they revert back very time when you restart your computer.

• Unexpected toolbars in your web browser
My web browser contains additional toolbars. Spyware and other undesirable software can add additional toolbars to your web browser that you don't want or need. It seems to be difficult to completely uninstall, even though you know how to get rid of these toolbars , they may return each time you restart your computer.

• Unexpected or new icons task tray
At a time when you're not doing anything online, the send or receive lights on your dial-up or broadband modem blink just as wildly as when you're downloading a file or surfing the Web. Or the network / modem icon in your system tray flashes rapidly even when you're not using the connection.

• Certain keys fail to work in my browser
For example: the Tab key
Everything appears to be normal The final sign is: Everything appears to be normal. The most devious spyware doesn't leave traces you'd notice; so scan your system anyway.

The Rim Internet, White Mountains Online & White Mountains Computers, has operated in Lakeside since 1989. Now located at 3045 W. Hwy 260 In Lakeside, Arizona.