Spyware symptoms

Spyware Info and Facts that All Internet Users Must Know

You may know spyware by one of its many names; adware, malware, trackware, scumware, thiefware, snoopware, sneakware.

Because of its stealthy nature, most Internet users are more familiar with the symptoms of spyware infection:

• sluggish PC performance
• increased pop-up ads
• unexplained homepage change
• mysterious search results.

For virtually everyone surfing the Internet, malware and adware are a nuisance, but if you do not detect spyware on your PC, it can lead to much more serious consequences like identity theft. Because of the threats that malware pose, a spyware remover installed on your PC is essential. Gathering spyware info also helps protect yourself from malicious attacks by adware or malware.

Spyware facts:

Experts view malware as a real threat to consumers and businesses. If you're online, you should be concerned about spyware. You may want to consider adding an anti-spyware program to your PC to remove spyware.

• Nine out of 10 PCs connected to the Internet are infected with spyware.*
• 88% of SpyAudit scans found some form of unwanted program (Trojan, system monitor, cookie or adware) on consumer computers.*
• Some form of spyware, adware or potentially unwanted software can be found on 87% of corporate PCs.*
• 86% U.S. Adult Internet Users Believe that Spyware on Their Computers Has Caused Them to Suffer a Monetary Loss, 2005.**

     *State of Spyware Report
     **eMarketer

Spyware in the news:

• "A hacker was able to access potentially 40 million credit card numbers by infiltrating the network of a company that processed payment data for MasterCard International and other companies." InfoWorld, July 17, 2005
• "About 10 million Americans have their personal information pilfered and misused in some way or another every year, costing consumers $5 billion and businesses $48 billion annually." Federal Trade Commission, June 21, 2005

How does spyware find you?

Even if you're careful, you can pick up adware and other forms of spyware through normal Internet activities.

• Visit any media-supported website and you're bound to get a tracking cookie
• Share music, files or photos with other users
• Install software applications without fully reading license agreements

Isn't spyware just another passing trend that will eventually fade away?

Unfortunately, no. Spyware and adware makers have found a viable financial model that supports continued activity, whether it's legal or not. Unlike most other Internet threats, such as viruses that are purely malicious in nature, malware creators profit enormously by selling information on your surfing habits, redirecting you to sites you didn't intend to visit, or by bombarding you with pop-up ads. Since it is almost impossible to find and stop the makers of adware, or reduce the lucrative financial opportunity, this trend is here to stay.

What can you do if you get spyware on your PC?

If you don't want it on your computer, you can try to remove spyware manually. However, adware removal is a difficult and complicated process for even the most experienced computer user. For the best spyware removal tool, many consumers today are turning to anti-spyware software like xoftspy. A spyware remover like this can detect spyware and safely remove the applications from your system.