Adware and Spyware Information
If your computer suffers any of the following, it is most probable that you are either infected with a virus, or have adware/spyware running on you computer.
Symptoms of spyware infection are:
- Sudden change to your default home page
- Increased number of pop-up ads appearing
- Mysterious search results listed
- Reduced PC performance, very sluggish when plugged into network
- Internet connection appears very slow
What is adware and spyware?
- Adware is basically any program that delivers advertisements or announcements via popups, whereas Spyware is similar except that it seeks to report your personal information (including your internet usage patterns so as to further direct pop-ups to you, enticing you to buy from different companies). Spyware is written with the intent to make money for their publishers.
- Microsoft explains more here and provides some additional steps to clean up your system.
How do you get adware/spyware on your computer?
- Many times the adware/spyware is installed when you download and install other "free" programs, or accept pop-up windows telling you that you need to install this "free" program in order to do something on the site you're visiting.
- Programs like WeatherBug, Gator, BargainBuddy, KaZaa, SearchToolbars (to name a few) typically load up your system with adware/spyware without your knowledge.
- Some malicious web links (often found in email messages) may take you to sites that attack your system's vulnerabilities and installs their programs on your hard drive before you realize it.
How do you remove adware/spyware infections?
- Install an anti-virus software program (SVSU users can get their free copy here)
- Obtain utilites like Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy and CWShredder. Install the programs, obtain their latest definition files, and run them periodically. You can find information on how to run Spybot effectively here.
- Regularly perform the first five tips found on our Stabilize your Windows Computer page
- Perform Windows Critical Updates (tip number 4 found on the page above)
How do you prevent/block future attacks?
- Avoid installing programs that arise from popups. You can't trust every program popping up instructing you to download, as it may mislead you into thinking it's from a trusted source. Go to the web site to get applets or utilities like shockwave - don't accept and install from a popup.
- Obtain utilities like Spyware Blaster and Spyware Guard (freeware).
- Install a firewall like ZoneAlarm (or use the built-in firewall in Windows)
- Keep all utilities updated and current, so that new attacks will be prevented and/or removed.
More information regarding adware and spyware, as can be found at: