|
Adware and Spyware: The
Problems and Their Solutions
by
Guest Author, Soroush King
|
Adware and Spyware: The Problems and
Their Solutions
By Soroush King Last Updated: August 3, 2005
The Threat: 10 years ago you could probably have run no
Internet security applications and still have come out after a
browse of the Internet with a virus and malware free computer, but
this situation is no longer apparent.
Several years ago, before I knew of the dangers of the Internet, I
had absolutely no spyware or adware protection. After about 3 months
of heavy Internet browsing, I decided to install Adaware Personal
Edition and Spybot Search & Destroy, and after 1 scan of each, I
truly realized the
potential of the Internet.
After just 3 moths of Internet browsing, I had gathered over 9000
different adware and spyware problem products. So if I can gather 9000
unwanted products in 3 months with only web browsing, what about all
the people who constantly surf, download and install, and haven't
scanned their PC for malware in over a year? |
|
That's right. Viruses are not restricted to movies and the news
anymore.
Adware is not only for those who install illegal software. In 2004,
adwarereport.com reported that over 70 percent of home PCs are today
infected unknowingly by spyware and that over 80 percent are
infected by adware. I am willing to garantee you that 9 out of 10
people who read this article have at least 1 form of adware or
spyware on their PC.
Now if that isn't a threat to your PC than I don't know what is.
What will it do? So now you're saying, "So what if I have spyware or
adware. How much harm could it do?". That's a reasonable question,
considering one of the reasons adware has been ignored for so long
is its lack of severe harm. Adware slows your computer, it slows
your Internet, it displays a popup every once in a while, but really
it does no harm to personal files or hardware.
Both adware and spyware breach privacy, but personal data rarely
reaches anyone but untargeted advertisers so SPAM and advertising
are the only real problems. Therefore, it is
logical to say that adware and spyware are not as serious a threat
as malicious viruses and trojans, but they are a threat all the
same.
Scanning and removing adware and spyware
With the mass realization of the threat of adware and spyware in the
last couple of years, there are now literally hundreds of spyware
and adware removers online. The most respected and thorough scanners
for adware and spyware are Lavasoft Ad-aware and Spybot Search and
Destroy.
Both are free and are known to be much better then most of their
costly counterparts. Microsoft Anti-Spyware is quickly increasing in
popularity but is currently in Beta stages. Several other notable
scanners include Spysweeper, BPS Spyware & Adware Remover and
PestPatrol.
I personally recommend you scan about once a month with both Spybot
Search and Destroy as well with Lavasoft Adaware Personal Edition.
Links Lavasoft Adaware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spybot S&D :
http://spybot.eon.net.au/en/
... Soroush King(*)
References:
www.adwarereport.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soroush King is a certified programmer, adept in VB, C++,
Delphi, as well as web developer and scripter, having considerable
knowledge of both PHP and Perl. He also owns and manages several
professional websites.
This article was originally published at Mr. King's "Absolutely"
website and updated March 3,
2005
For more information on computer security
visit
www.articlesandtools.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please help us educate and protect the unwary by sharing this
article. Copy or print it to give to your friends.
It may be used at will so long as no edits or changes are made to
the content and links, and the full attribute box is included.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*)The opinions
expressed by the Author are exclusively his, based on his personal
experience and expertise.
Register to receive the News
Reporter at our website
and get your free copy of the eReport:
23
Critical Alerts You Should Consider when Maintaining Your Computer
Security
and Protecting Your Personal Safety
Please visit
https://www.firewalls-and-virus-protection.com where many of the
issues mentioned in this brief article are addressed in greater
detail. A few minutes browsing there now might
save you many hours of agony and grief later.
|