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Important Information about Spyware and other Unwanted Software!
Spyware: An Increasing Threat to Privacy and Security
There are a number of sophisticated ploys pervading the
Internet that may be used to deceive users into revealing
important and often sensitive personal information such as
names, account numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs)
and passwords. One of these ploys involves the use of spyware
and other types of Internet usage monitoring programs that
capture personal and confidential information from unsuspecting
Internet users. By simply downloading a free program to your
computer or by viewing a Web site, you could also be downloading
spyware and potentially be putting your computer and personal
information at risk.
Practicing safe
computing and taking action to protect your online
activities and your personal information are more important
than ever.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is the term used to describe software programs that
are installed on a user's computer, without their knowledge,
to secretly gather information about the user. This software
typically establishes an Internet connection with a third
party, who may monitor everything from a user's Web surfing
habits, to more malicious monitoring such as stealing confidential
information. In addition to being an invasion of privacy,
spyware can result in the theft of sensitive information
such as account numbers, PINs and passwords, which could
lead to account takeovers and identity theft
How Do You Get Spyware and Other Unwanted Software?
Spyware and other unwanted software like Internet usage
monitoring programs can be unknowingly picked up in a variety
of ways. Spyware programs are often bundled as a hidden component
of freeware or shareware applications that can be downloaded
from the Internet or are provided as a condition of subscribing
to free online services. When a user downloads software or
subscribes to a free online service, they are often not aware
that they may also be agreeing to allow this type of unwanted
software to be installed on their computer. This software
could permit a third party to monitor all of the user's Internet
activities. Information about the installation of spyware
or an Internet usage-monitoring program can be embedded in
the third party's licence agreement or privacy policy. However,
these references may be hard to find and the user may not
realize the full implications of the install.
Spyware may also be acquired by simply visiting a Web site
or by users being tricked into automatically downloading
the unwanted software by clicking a button such as "I Agree" or "Cancel" within
a pop-up window. Once installed, the spyware can be used
by a third party, without the user's knowledge, to monitor
the user's activity on the Internet and send that information
covertly to someone else.
Do All Free Software and Services Contain Spyware?
Not all free applications and services include spyware and
not all pop up windows pose a threat. You can check out the
legitimacy of free software, tools, and services before you
use them. Here's how:
Some of the Ways to Protect Yourself Against Spyware
and Other Unwanted Software
-
If you come across a product or tool that you are interested
in, enter its name, vendor or other key information into
a search engine. You should quickly see in the results
whether or not it is legitimate.
-
Always be wary of freeware or free services that promote
themselves as an "Internet helper" tool or application,
as some of these applications and services may install
spyware or unwanted software on your computer. Even innocuous
looking screen savers, cookie managers, fun cursors and
Internet pets could be disguising hidden software. Make
it a rule-of-thumb to never install something without
checking it out first.
- Beware of the dangers of unauthorized pop-windows:
- Do not automatically click on pop up boxes that
warn you of a potential security threat on your computer.
These warnings may be a trick to deceive you into
downloading spyware and other unwanted software.
- Ignore pop-ups that tell you that you're a free
winner. Remember the old adage: if it looks too good
to be true, it probably is!
- Avoid clicking any buttons provided within a suspect
pop-up window, as that alone may result in downloading
unrequested software.
- To get rid of a pop-up window, just click the
CLOSE button (usually an x) located at the top
right hand corner of the window.
- Always carefully read licensing agreements and privacy
policies prior to installing software.
Some of the Symptoms of Spyware or Other Unwanted Software
on your Computer
Your computer may be infected with spyware or have other
unwanted software, if you notice any of the following:
- Your browser home page settings have changed and no matter
how many times you adjust them, they change back to the
new unwanted settings every time you restart your computer.
- Unusual items show up on your browser, ones that you
haven't set or saved. For all of these, you either cannot
remove them at all, or you do remove them, but they keep
coming back. These could be any of:
- an unfamiliar search site instead of your usual
one,
- an item in your Favourites list that you did not
put there,
- browser toolbars that you don't want and did not
install.
- Your system is sluggish, running much slower than it
did before. That may be because spyware and other unwanted
software, which use your computer's memory resources have
been downloaded to your machine. The programs running in
the background slow down your system causing routine tasks
to take significantly longer to complete than they may
have before. You may also notice a much higher frequency
of program crashes and system failures.
-
Pop-up advertisements are happening all the time, even
when you are not connected to the Internet, or your browser
is not running.
-
You see hefty charges on your phone bill for calls that
you never made.
-
There is activity on your computer, as though you are
sending and receiving information, even when you are not
downloading files or even attached to the Internet
What You can do if You have or Suspect You have Spyware
on your Computer
If you know or suspect that your computer may be infected
with spyware or other unwanted software, you may want to
consider downloading an anti-spyware tool to help you remove
it. While you may know of other helpful sites, you can also
visit the Microsoft
Security at Home Web site to learn more about spyware and to access
the tools for removing it.
As with all clean-up tools of this nature, they remove
the targeted software but do not block your computer
from future installations. Updated copies of the tool
need to be accessed and run on an ongoing basis, in the
same manner as anti-virus software needs continual updates
to incorporate the latest anti-virus protection.
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