Any individual who owns a PC or simply makes use of computers is in danger of encountering spyware applications. More specifically, if you engage in various internet activities such as surfing, chatting, sending email, and other similar acts, then your chances of encountering spyware will definitely be great because such activities have recently been found to be some of the new ways through which spyware is able to enter a given computer system. In several cases, the application is already embedded inside a certain website and when you browse through the site, spyware can hop into your system. This often happens when a website has a link section. The web visitor clicks on the link and this action on his part is what usually triggers a download, which often carries with it the basic ingredients of spyware.
By design, the internet does not allow websites to create automatic downloads when surfers visit them. However, spyware creators have devised a way of going around this basic security feature of the internet. They trick visitors by bundling the program into website links. Once these links are clicked on, then the danger begins.
A slightly modified version of the above scenario is when pop-up commercials are used. Sometimes, while in the midst of surfing, a one-line advertisement would suddenly come out of the screen telling something like asking the surfer if he wants quicker access to his yahoo messenger, a simple question answerable by either yes or no. Regardless of the button that has been clicked, a download has commenced and the application has been unwittingly put into place.
Other highly popular means through which your system can be affected by spyware are through downloads of various kinds such as files, photos, or music. Sharing of files or programs, and even the swapping of photos or songs are likewise good ways through which your system can be afflicted with this dreaded application.
There are even cases when spyware is included covertly in license agreements consummated between website owners and end users. The latter then has no knowledge that by entering into such an agreement, he has already allowed spyware to gain entry, not only to his computer system, but also to his entire home. Good examples of these cases are the agreements entered into with online gambling sites where players are initially lured into playing online games for free, after which they have the option of signing up as a new player where they can get to play using real money. Without them knowing it, spyware could have already gained access to their email accounts, and eventually, to their bank accounts.
Of course, the internet casinos will always argue that they offer secured and safe games. But then, that may be a little hard to believe nowadays especially with the rapid growth of spyware. It's either they are telling the truth and that without their consent and knowledge, spyware has been bundled in their games software. Or, they are simply good liars with great convincing powers and with connections with several spyware authors who paid them a substantial amount so the spyware application could be bundled into the games software.
Still another way of being affected by spyware is through direct installation. Simply put, the user purchases a software and installs the same into his PC. Unknown to him, spyware has unfortunately been installed, too. Of course, if the user knows beforehand that he purchased a software that secretly contains the spyware application, naturally he will not install it unless he wants some other people to get access to some of his personal information. So what basically happened was that he was tricked into buying the software because either it was promoted as highly enjoyable and extremely helpful or sold at a bargain price. Either way, he was enticed by this simple marketing strategy whereby a potentially dangerous product has been marketed as something desirable. Some spyware creators refer to this scheme as the Trojan horse technique based on the Greek story of the Trojan horse which led to the fall of Troy.
Needless to say, spyware indeed poses such great danger that stopping it from further inflicting more harm has been a priority of some of the greatest computer geniuses in the world. Yet, spyware is not that easy to beat. The moment it gets installed, wittingly or unwittingly, into a particular system, spyware can basically move around inside and place itself in any number of locations inside your PC such as bookmarks, home, files, notepads, folders, control panel, and others.
Most spyware applications are also known to be capable of virtually splitting itself into small pieces and sprinkle tiny traces of itself throughout a whole computer system. They are, in effect, embracing the entire system, almost like the concept of marriage wherein the two eventually become one. This then makes spyware virtually impossible to remove once it has penetrated the computer system.
What makes it even more dangerous is the reality that the application operates virtually unnoticeable. It works silently with computer users hardly knowing that a secret program inside their computers is consistently gathering all forms of data about them and transferring these to third parties. It is like being robbed of all your belongings right before your very eyes and you are still not aware of it.
If we are to base our conclusions on the above descriptions, it would most likely appear that spyware is unstoppable. Just like most James Bond films and other similar spy-oriented movies, it seems that spyware is tough, formidable and practically unbeatable opponent and that it will have its way till the end.
Essentially, that may carry some ounce of truth. Yet, we have to remember that this is not like the movies. This is real life and as such, there will always be ways to counteract a seemingly overwhelming danger. With regards to spyware, while the program is almost untraceable, it is not exactly undetectable. It does leave one or two pieces of clues that it is present in a given computer system and currently causing great harm. These clues are more commonly known as symptoms, and if computer users can identify them early enough, then the possible harm that spyware can cause the system will be significantly minimized.
Actually, with the growing popularity or notoriety of spyware, any sudden change that takes place in and around your PC should cause a certain degree of alarm or at least concern on your part because such changes can be caused by the silent work being carried out by spyware.
Briefly though, there are four basic changes in your computer system that may lead you to safely conclude that spyware is present in it. One of these is the sluggish or slow performance of the PC. This rather broad area will include sudden and unwanted actions of the main system, which is in the CPU, basically rendering the PC unstable, an over-all slowing down of basic computer functions, and even crashes of the entire system.
In several cases, because he is basically unaware of the existence of spyware inside the system, the user simply makes an assumption that the performance slow down, instability and other related problems are all due to hardware difficulties, computer viruses, or simply a problem with the way Microsoft Windows was installed, or even a combination of one or all of these. To remedy the situation, he either seeks the help of computer technicians or simply purchases a brand new PC if he finds the old one a little too slow for comfort, not knowing that the cycle will only get to be repeated with the new purchase.
Another symptom of spyware operating in your system is the increased incidents of pop ads suddenly coming out of the computer screens. These pop ads can be very annoying, especially when these are displayed regularly like twice every three minutes. The first instinct is usually to click the 'close' button just so these ads will go away. The problem is, that is precisely what the ads are waiting for, to simply click any button so as to allow the spyware application to enter your computer.
Spyware authors often present this specialized feature to various advertisers who are naturally thrilled at the prospect of buying a placement in a pop ad simply because this is basically a good form of exposure for their products. Availing of such opportunities however makes them party to the spread of spyware.
Another good symptom of the existence of spyware applications in one's computer system is the mysterious changes in the format and layout of the computer home page. Unless manually altered by the owner, such modifications will not automatically occur. With spyware though, such changes will inevitably take place. Along with these are other changes, and if these fail to make you realize that something alien is presently dwelling inside your computer, then more serious problems are bound to happen that may include the eventual theft of your own identity.
Finally, spyware can likewise get to interrupt with some of your internet searches, often causing the search engine that you used to produce totally unrelated search results. This is another sign or symptom that the dreaded spyware application has infected your system. Of course, you may charge the inaccurate search results to hardware error, but such things rarely happen even with the early versions of computer hardware. One unrelated result may be excusable, but when unexplained search results happen much too often, perhaps it is time to consider the possibility that something may be getting in the way of the search engine's basic function. Something sinister like the presence of spyware that can produce more long-term problems more serious than just mere unsatisfactory searches.
The extent of damage that spyware can wreak is quite vast. Even if extreme caution is exercised, the mere fact that you surf the internet already exposes you to the dangers of having a spyware jump in to the computer system. And contrary to popular belief, the spyware phenomenon is not just a simple fad that will hopefully fade away after some time. It is something that will most likely stay with us for a long time. This is because most spyware authors find spyware to be a very profitable venture for them, especially in the aspect of collecting information from any given user and selling these to the highest bidder. Aside from that, they found a ready market for their products, the worldwide web, where thousands, possibly even millions, of potential buyers are waiting to purchase their products without necessarily knowing the exact contents of what they are buying.
Nevertheless, there is a ray of hope in the internet horizon. There are now softwares available that can successfully remove spyware from your computer. These tools have become quite essential in recent years and most computer owners have installed these in their systems. A possible option to these are anti-spyware systems that can also be installed in many PCs and which have the added advantage of removing the application completely.
Needless to say, the threat of spyware among internet users has somewhat diminished. However, the basic danger is still there, and it would be definitely wise to always remain vigilant.
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