Spyware And Scareware

Yes, there's a brand new category in the spyware stakes; it is called 'scareware'. This is just my own word, but it describes perfectly what I have experienced recently. Scareware refers to spyware that tries to terrify you into doing or buying something.

Let's start off at the beginning. What is Spyware? Spyware is any software that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. It's intent is not as distructive as that of a virus. But it causes you lots of headaches for sure. Spyware essentially has two purposes. One is to record your browsing habits and keystrokes and the other is to inundate you with adverts. Usually the information obtained by the first is what is sold to advertsing companies, as leads. The adverts you get may well be pertinent to your browsing habits. This is how they know; by recording your keystrokes.

Several spyware will even record your bank details and credit card information, this is very dangerous. However, this is not normal, most spyware are only out to run ads or sell you something. If your computer unexpectedly starts to run slowly or you have adverts popping up or even if your homepage changes by itself then you most likely have spyware on your computer.

But I have seen a new type of Spyware of late, one which can be called Scareware. Scareware installs itself on your computer the same as any other spyware. But then it proceeds to try and persuade you that you have been infected by some major virus or program. You will get messages that look like genuine windows error messages, telling you that your computer is infected.

It will then ask you to click on the button to fix the crisis. This will without doubt lead you to a page that sells you a fix in the form of another program. DO NOT click that button! Once you've done it, you can't get rid of it. You have to run some top spyware blockers in order to get rid of this nasty. As soon as you have got rid of it you will observe that there is nothing else amiss with your computer.

By: Pew Singh

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