Spyware,
Adware and Malware
•
Is your computer running more slowly than you would expect it to?
• Does your computer keep crashing?
• Do you experience popup windows and adverts when you are accessing
the internet?
• Is your hard drive being accessed even when you are not using
your computer?
If
the answer to any of the questions above is "yes" then your
computer could be affected with spyware, adware or malware. Although
considered by many to be a similar thing, spyware, adware and malware
can be defined as below:
What
is spyware?
Spyware
is the generic term used to describe any software that covertly (and
usually without the users permission or knowledge) gathers user information
through the user's Internet connection. This information can include
information such as the web sites the user visits.
Spyware
software and applications are typically bundled as a hidden component
of freeware or shareware programs that are downloaded from the Internet.
Some peer-to-peer file sharing applications are thought of as being
one of the main ways that a computer is infected with spyware. Once
installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and
transmits that information in the background to someone else.
What
is adware?
Adware
is the term used to describe a program that is installed at the same
time as a shareware or similar program that can continue to generate
advertising popups even when the user is not running the originally
installed program. So in general, advertising
that is integrated into software is known as adware.
What
is malware?
Whilst
spyware and adware is in general pretty harmless, Malware (derived
from the term MALicious softWARE)
is hardware, software, or firmware that is intentionally included
or inserted in a system for a harmful purpose. This can include a
logic bomb, a Trojan horse, a virus or a worm.
Malware is usually designed to destroy, wreak havoc to and/or disrupt
and damage computer systems.
Why
should I be worried about Adware, spyware and malware?
Your
computer probably contains sensitive information about you and the
other people that use it such as bank account information. You want
to keep this information secure so you do not want spyware and on
your computer that could potentially send this information to a third
party using your internet connection without you even knowing.
At
the other end of the scale, you will soon get fed up with the advertising
pop-ups that can appear if your computer is infected with adware.
How
can I remove adware, malware and spyware?
If
you suspect that your computer is infected with adware, malware or
spyware then give us at Witney Computers
a call.
We
will visit your place of work or home and run various tests to detect
the type and extent of the infection. We will then remove the offending
software. Finally we will show you how you can monitor your computer
for the presence of malware, adware and spyware so that if your computer
is infected again in the future you can remove it yourself.
Call
Witney Computers on 0845 260 8453 for further
information, or to make an appointment
