What is Spyware?
Spyware is defined as any program that secretly gathers information about you (or your computer use) through your Internet connection. Once installed, spyware programs monitor your activity on the Internet and give this information to interested parties, such as marketing firms. Spyware can also cause problems with your computer's performance. A computer overwhelmed by spyware may slow to a crawl or even a complete halt, unable to perform the simplest of functions.
Spyware can come in many different forms:
Adware
Adware displays pop-up advertisements whenever an associated program is running. Let's say, for example, that you download and install a free program.
If the program came with adware embedded within the software, every time you use that program, you could see pop-up windows. As well as producing unwelcome pop-up windows, adware may also be tracking other information about you such as Web browsing habits, user names, passwords, and more.
Adware Cookies
Adware cookies allow Web sites to store and access information on your computer (Web browsing habits, areas of interest, etc.). This information allows marketing companies to create a profile based on your personal information and sell it to other firms.
System Monitors
These malicious programs are particularly dangerous, and can record almost everything you do on your computer, including email messages, chat room conversations, Web sites visited, and programs you run. They can even keep track of each individual key you press, which can help thieves snare your passwords and allow them to steal personal and financial information.
Trojan Horses
Trojan horses are malicious programs that pretend to be harmless or desirable. Their purpose is to steal or damage your computer data. Some Trojan horses allow an attacker to gain unrestricted access to your computer whenever you are online.
It is important to remember that not all programs that sound like spyware are harmful. Many are legitimate programs that help your Internet surfing by allowing a Web site to keep track of the needs of its customers. Additionally, browser "cookies" can store personalized information for Web sites that you use frequently. The myYahoo start page is a good example of one such site. You can sign in to your myYahoo page, personalize the content, and your browser will store these settings in a "cookie" for the next time you visit the page.
A majority of spyware comes in through downloading software off the Internet, especially through peer-to-peer systems or freeware. As a rule, be wary of downloading a program unless you know exactly what it is. It's always a good idea to take extra care to read the information that comes with the program before you download so that you can ensure that you know exactly what you are downloading. This information will often be included in the Terms and Conditions you need to accept before the program can install onto your system.
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If you are choosing Anti-Spyware make sure you choose one that is proven and has genuine awards from one or more world leading research labs such a PC Magazine, PC World, CNET, PC Pro Magazine, PC Authority, PC Answers and other trusted labs. More importantly do not use ratings from unknown review websites, as often these are designed to mislead you into purchase of affiliated, inferior or rogue product
Detects, removes and blocks all types of Spyware.
Did you know that numerous programs tested against Spyware Doctor detected only small fraction of Spyware and completely removed an even smaller amount? Also most of them were unable to effectively block Spyware in real time from being installed on users PC in the first place.
Spyware Doctor has the most advanced update feature that continually improves its Spyware fighting capabilities on daily basis. As Spyware gets more complex to avoid detection by AntiSpyware programs Spyware Doctor responds with new technology to stay one step ahead.
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