When it comes to securing your computer from computer virus, you need to consider securing your computer from spyware also. In this post I am going to talk about spyware. We will see what spyware is, how it is different from computer virus and what you need to do to prevent spyware from entering to you computer.

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is a piece of software which is installed in your computer without your knowledge. Spyware performs some of the unwanted operations in your system like shows the unwanted ads, collect search or Internet activity information from your computer and change the configurations of some of the browsers. Spyware also makes it very difficult to reset browser to default or previous settings.

Not all the spyware softwares are harmful. Many companies uses spyware software to collect the information for marketing purpose. Usually when you install any software in your computer, you need to read terms and conditions. All companies will include the spyware warning in their terms of service. So these companies track your Internet activity to see your interest and shows related ads of your interest.

Spyware software installed not for legal use are very dangerous. These type of software can track the details from email and your personal chat to the information filled in the web browser form. Spyware is used for stealing your password and credit card information. This type of software has an ability to track the key stroke. Once all the information is collected, it is send to the developer of spyware. Then developer sell all those information and make money.

What Is The Difference Between A Computer Virus And Spyware?

Virus is a piece of software specially made to damage your computer or network connections. Virus replicates itself from one system to another. The main transport for spreading virus is Internet email. Some viruses find out the mail ids from your contact list of your email account and spread itself in attachment.

Spyware is made for not to damage your system but to steal the sensitive information from your computer. So spyware are not affecting your computer directly. Some spyware install the keylogger software and steals email id passwords and credit card information.

How Spyware Enters In Your Computer?

Spyware basically come to your system by your mistake. Some times it happens on the Internet that you find some very good trial offer of music software. You download it and click on “ACCEPT” button without reading any thing when it asked for accepting terms and condition. Even some anti-spyware softwares also include adware and shows ads on your computer. This way they earn the money on ads shown on your computer.

Many spyware developers take the benefit of security breach in the browser. You get a spam mail and in that you find a link. When you open that link, spyware will be automatically downloaded and installed without your knowledge.

How To Secure Your Computer From Spyware?

First step to secure your system from spywere is to prevent it entering to your system. When you download any software, always read terms of service before installing it. If it is installing spyware, stay away from that software.

Don’t open unknown mails. If you are using Internet Explorer(IE), then you need to think about changing the browser. You can use Firefox or Opera. IE has many vulnerabilities which makes easier for spyware to enter in to your system.

Install an anti-spyware software. Be careful while downloading anti-spyware software. Many anti-spyware software them selves are spyware. Always download anti-spyware software from know source like CNet. Always do research before downloading any software. Some of the softwares you can use are PC tools’s Spyware doctor and Trend Micro’s Hijack This.

I hope above information provides some basic of spyware and now onwards you will take proper steps to secure your system from spyware.