An Introduction To Spyware Removal Software

Spyware is nasty stuff

Spyware is nasty stuff. It can get installed on your computer without your knowledge, and has been responsible for hard-to-tell how much financial loss. The Windows operating system is the most vulnerable, although MacOS X could probably become infected, as well. Using spyware removal software can help prevent infections.

A data thief can plant malicious software on your system in a number of different ways. Usually, he can just package his program in with something else that looks legitimate. Then, he'll find some way to entice users into downloading it and installing it on their systems. It's also possible to do "drive-by" downloads, where a person will infect his computer just by visiting an infected website. Once a computer is infected, the spy program will gather sensitive data and send it to a data thief. (This can include log-data for banking sites, etc.)

Not all of these spy programs are meant to be malicious. Sometimes, it's only meant to gather marketing data, so that vendors can target their advertising more effectively. Still, it's an invasion of privacy that most people don't appreciate.

Windows is the most vulnerable operating system, for two reasons. First, is that its design makes it easier for malware to infect it. Fortunately, it's not near as bad as it once was, because Microsoft developers have built numerous security enhancements into the newer versions. Still, it's not perfect and is still somewhat vulnerable.

The second reason is that Windows is the largest target. It's installed on most PCs, so data thieves can get the biggest payoff by targeting it. (Some security researchers claim that, since Microsoft have made so many security enhancements, it's now actually more secure than MaxOS X. Macs hardly ever get infected, though, because they have such a small market share. So, it's not worth the data thieves' time to target them.)

If you search the web, you'll find all kinds of utilities that can either remove spyware, or prevent it from getting installed in the first place. Some of these programs require payment of an annual fee, which can get a bit costly if you have more than one computer.

But, a lot of other programs are free for personal use. Their publishers may either accept donations, offer an entry-level program as an incentive to buy a more full-featured one, or do a tie-in with a commercial sponsor. (In the latter case, the program will be free in exchange for accepting advertising emails from another vendor.)

If you're in need of spyware removal software, you'll find plenty of choices by searching the web.

by: Lance Thorington

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