Do you have problems getting online, or does your browser seem like it’s slowing down? Do you see annoying pop-up ads displaying in your browser? Or do some of your desktop programs crash out of the blue? Would you like to know why you are getting so much spam? If your answer is yes then your computer might be infected with spyware.
WHAT IS SPYWARE?
Now you must be thinking what is ‘SPYWARE’? Well the name itself is self-explanatory. Though it sounds like a gadget from a James Bond’s movie, it’s actually a term generally used for malicious software that infects your PC or mobile device and gathers information about you, your browsing and Internet usage habits, as well as other data.
Spyware is a type of data breaching same as phishing. Spyware is a sneaky program that makes its way into your system without your knowledge or permission, attaching itself to your operating system and maintaining a presence on your PC. You might have even unintentionally given permission for the spyware to install itself when you agreed to the terms and conditions of a seemingly legitimate program you downloaded without reading the fine print.
HOW PEOPLE GET SPYWARE?
Spyware can infect your system in the same ways that any other malware does, by means of a virus, errors, bugs, and other types of malware. Here are a few of spyware’s main techniques through which it infects your PC or mobile device:
SECURITY VULNERABILITIES
When you click on any site, download programs or run something online , an unfamiliar link or virus enters your system. It’s even possible that just visiting a malicious website, viewing a page or ad can result in spyware. Even sharing software or exchanging documents with friends may result in the sneaky delivery of a spyware program hidden within. That includes executable programs, music files, and documents. All it takes is one bad click.
MISLEADING MARKETING
There are programs that claim to protect your system in such a way that you immediately download them, only to regret the decision later. For example, what might look like an internet accelerator is, in reality, a highly destructive spyware. This kind of attraction can result in inadvertent spyware infection. Even if you eventually uninstall the tool that initially got your system corrupted, the spyware remains behind and continues to function.
SOFTWARE BUNDLES
Who doesn’t love free stuff? And when it comes to free software, programmers consider it as a bonus. Well, this bonus can charge them more than its actual cost. Bundleware may look like necessary components to download but they are spyware which remains unaffected even after you uninstall the host application.
HOW TO GET RID OF SPYWARE?
Spyware will make attempts to install itself on your computer over an over, even when you’re careful about your software downloads. To prevent your system from spyware, it’s better to use an anti-spyware scanner. There are many anti-spyware programs available these days that will scan your computer to detect malicious tracking software. Removing spyware from a computer or device can be tricky, but eventually, it will work for you
CLOSURE TO SPYWARE
Spyware is a type of data breach which is very common these days. To avoid such sort of data breaches in your premises you should use appropriate security software.
