Most PC's are Infected With Spyware - Is Yours?
Did you know that around 80% of all computers worldwide are infected with dangerous spyware? I think the reason for this is that most people either don't realize the huge security risk associated with spyware, or don't think they are at risk simply because they haven't noticed any problems.
As an information technology professional, I am often asked to "fix" home computers for friends and colleagues. When I work on PC's, I always do a spyware and virus scan simply because I know that the computer is most likely infected. Guess what? I have yet to find a "clean" computer! That's right, every home computer I have ever worked on has been infected with at least a dozen instances of spyware, and around half are also infected with some type of computer virus.
Nearly all computers I see are running antivirus software, because it was "preinstalled" when the computer was purchased. Well over half of the computers running antivirus software do not contain updated virus definitions because the user never renewed the subscription; as a result they are no longer protected from any new viruses.
I have yet to see a home computer that is running anti spyware software, and users always seem "surprised" to hear that this is a necessity in this day and age. With weak antivirus protection and no protection from spyware, their computers (and their personal information) are "sitting ducks", just begging for more spyware to be installed.
Spyware has become just as prevelant as computer viruses, and new types of spyware are introduced onto the internet every day. One purpose of spyware is to steal personal information such as bank account numbers, user id's, passwords, and credit card information. Another common form of spyware is used to plant remote control software on your computer, so the creator (cyber criminal) can use it as a "bot" (robot, or slave) for the purpose of sending spam and phishing emails, or for launching illegal DoS attacks to bring down corporate and government networks.
Modern antivirus software will catch some spyware, but not all. In order to fully protect yourself it is necessary to use a combination of antivirus and antispyware software (and subscribe to automatic updates). Spyware is installed secretly and instantly when a user opens an infected email, visits unscrupulous websites, downloads certain "free" software, or clicks on certain "pop up" ads. The installation/infection happens so quick that it's impossible to tell you just got infected!
Spyware also shows no symptoms, until the system is so heavily infected (with hundreds of spywares) that it slows down to a crawl. By this time, you can be sure your personal security has been compromised, and your infected computer has likely participated in many illegal activities - all without your knowledge. Complete removal of the spyware at this stage is unlikely, even with the best anti spyware products. The best thing to do at this point is reformat your hard drive and reload all your software to start "fresh". It is also highly advisable to change all your passwords to online accounts. If you do a lot of online shopping or banking, you may want to have new credit cards issued as a precaution - because there is a high probablity that your account numbers are already in someone elses possession.
To protect yourself from spyware, and to clean up any spyware you currently have on your PC, download and install a good antispyware product. Here are some recommendations:
For more information on spyware and antispyware software choices, visit my website:
As an information technology professional, I am often asked to "fix" home computers for friends and colleagues. When I work on PC's, I always do a spyware and virus scan simply because I know that the computer is most likely infected. Guess what? I have yet to find a "clean" computer! That's right, every home computer I have ever worked on has been infected with at least a dozen instances of spyware, and around half are also infected with some type of computer virus.
Nearly all computers I see are running antivirus software, because it was "preinstalled" when the computer was purchased. Well over half of the computers running antivirus software do not contain updated virus definitions because the user never renewed the subscription; as a result they are no longer protected from any new viruses.
I have yet to see a home computer that is running anti spyware software, and users always seem "surprised" to hear that this is a necessity in this day and age. With weak antivirus protection and no protection from spyware, their computers (and their personal information) are "sitting ducks", just begging for more spyware to be installed.
Spyware has become just as prevelant as computer viruses, and new types of spyware are introduced onto the internet every day. One purpose of spyware is to steal personal information such as bank account numbers, user id's, passwords, and credit card information. Another common form of spyware is used to plant remote control software on your computer, so the creator (cyber criminal) can use it as a "bot" (robot, or slave) for the purpose of sending spam and phishing emails, or for launching illegal DoS attacks to bring down corporate and government networks.
Modern antivirus software will catch some spyware, but not all. In order to fully protect yourself it is necessary to use a combination of antivirus and antispyware software (and subscribe to automatic updates). Spyware is installed secretly and instantly when a user opens an infected email, visits unscrupulous websites, downloads certain "free" software, or clicks on certain "pop up" ads. The installation/infection happens so quick that it's impossible to tell you just got infected!
Spyware also shows no symptoms, until the system is so heavily infected (with hundreds of spywares) that it slows down to a crawl. By this time, you can be sure your personal security has been compromised, and your infected computer has likely participated in many illegal activities - all without your knowledge. Complete removal of the spyware at this stage is unlikely, even with the best anti spyware products. The best thing to do at this point is reformat your hard drive and reload all your software to start "fresh". It is also highly advisable to change all your passwords to online accounts. If you do a lot of online shopping or banking, you may want to have new credit cards issued as a precaution - because there is a high probablity that your account numbers are already in someone elses possession.
To protect yourself from spyware, and to clean up any spyware you currently have on your PC, download and install a good antispyware product. Here are some recommendations:
- NOD 32 - stops spyware and viruses
- Spyware Nuker - you can get a free online spyware scan here too!
For more information on spyware and antispyware software choices, visit my website:
posted by Tech Angel at 6:55 PM
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