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Understanding and Preventing Malware and Spyware

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Malware and Spyware - Definitions, Symptoms, Removal and Protection

Within a decade, spyware has evolved into a complicated malware. Spyware is no longer just about spying and recording web history or redirecting to advertising web pages. Spyware, because of its unethical diverse behavior and characteristics is known by many names, these include badware, scareware, rogueware, trackware, scumware and similar terms. Spyware has become more sophisticated, more dangerous and even more difficult to remove.

What is Malware/Spyware?

Understanding the difference between Malware and Spyware

Understanding malware and spyware

In its simplest form, spyware is a form of malicious software - a malware that invades users' privacy. The term malware refers to different types of malware (malicious software) programs such as viruses, Trojan, rootkits, keyloggers and worms and the like. Today's spyware program combines some of the functions of these programs; hence it is becoming more common to refer to this class of malicious program as 'malware' rather than 'spyware'.
When installed on a computer system, Spyware may collect the users' browsing history and other information without the user's knowledge. Spyware tend not to respect individual privacy but go ahead and collect personal information in an unethical manner. Spyware may steal very sensitive information such as credit card numbers and passwords and transfer these to another server.
In some cases, individuals do not know they have spyware installed on their computers; however there are some forms of spyware installed by the owners of a large or public organization to monitor the activities of their workers or users (keyloggers). Yet there is another brand of spyware known as the rogue anti-spyware or a scareware. The instant a rogue spyware is installed on your computer, it takes over the computer system completely.

Important!

Preventing the Threat

Malware or Spyware...menaces that should be avoided

Malware/Spyware major activities on a computer system

What can a malware/spyware do to your PC

Malware/Spyware - Major Activities on a Computer System
  • Collect browsing history
  • Change browser setting and take over your Internet Explorer browser
  • Contact a remote computer and send out information
  • Commit identity fraud by stealing user information
  • Redirect your HTTP requests to specific advertising and search sites
  • Install an additional program on the PC, including Trojan or keyloggers.
  • Take over and control your computer
  • Take over your security center and disable your firewall and anti-virus software
  • Restore deleted spyware files
  • Popup unsolicited advertisements

Symptoms

Symptoms and Effects of malware/spyware

The symptoms and effects of malware/spyware on a computer system are listed below:
  • Slow and sluggish computer system
  • Operates with other malware programs such as Trojan and rootkits
  • Computer freezes and crashing
  • Inability to reboot
  • CPU and network overload
  • Can prevent itself from being removed, by blocking security programs

“Protected PC equals
secured privacy and save information”

How to Remove Malware/Spyware

Using Malware/Spyware removal tool

The simplest way to remove a malware or spyware is to use malware removal tools. Actually, there are a couple of good choices that can be downloaded over the Internet.

You may decide to use a free malware/spyware removal tool or purchase one. In most cases the major difference between the free software and the commercial software is that, the commercial software can remove and prevent spyware, whereas, nearly all freeware spyware removal tools are programmed to remove malware from your system but not to protect. A good example is Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

Advanced or premium versions of antispyware software can provide real-time protection. The program always has a database of threats that updates daily. In worst cases, serious spyware infections can cause serious and irreversible damages. This means that the entire operating system may have to be reinstalled. In a situation like this, a spyware removal tool is of no use. The bottom-line is, a preventive measure will ensure that such a situation never occurs.

Malware Spware Removal Tool

Prevention Tips

  • Set your computer to automatically update your system
  • Ensure you have a firewall in place and up to date
  • Install a malware or spyware removal tool that can monitor your computer and block spyware real time.
  • Set your antimalware, antivirus or antispyware tool to update regularly.
  • Be mindful of what you download and from where you download on the Internet
  • Make sure your software and programs are up to date

Links

Information Technology
Information technology IT Directory

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