Spyware

• What is Malware/Spyware/Adware?
  • Malware/Spyware/Adware all mean the same thing – it’s unwanted software that causes harm to your computer by consuming system resources, tracks your Internet activity, provides a backdoor in to your computer, and/or takes over functionality of your machine.  Toolbars, screensavers, custom cursors, games, shady websites, file sharing programs, etc are all common causes of infection.  Malware is similar to a Trojan in some ways.

• How do I detect and remove Malware?
  • Anti-Spyware software is designed to remove Malware/SpyWare/AdWare from your computer.  Popular free solutions are Spybot – Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org) and AdAware Free (www.lavasoftusa.com).  There are commercial products that are not free but are also very good, such as SpySweeper from Webroot (www.webroot.com). 
  

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