A Spyware Detector Along With Safe Browsing Can Protect Your Computer

Symptoms of spyware may not appear until your computer is being actively damaged by the malicious programs.  Even if you do not suspect a spyware infection, it is a good idea to run a spyware detector regularly in case something sneaks past your defenses.  If you practice preventative Internet browsing and check your system regularly, you can keep your computer safe from online threats.

Spyware Needs to be Installed

A computer virus is a self-replicating program that attaches itself to a host program and is transmitted with that host.  Every computer user should have an antivirus security program installed to deal with these threats.  Spyware generally must be installed on your computer, and often uses a Trojan Horse method to convince users to install it.

It will pretend to be a harmless or even desirable program, such as a fun toolbar or desktop pet.  Once installed, the spyware will start doing whatever malicious attack the creators of the program have planned.  Because it must be installed, it is theoretically possible to avoid a spyware infection.  In reality, even if you are extremely careful you should still regularly check for an infection.

Piggybacking Spyware

The most common way to get spyware is to install software that includes spyware in it.  Many file sharing programs include spyware that reports on your Internet usage.  Other programs will provide something fun, like a desktop pet, and include spyware within the software.  To avoid this type of malware, check out reviews for the software you want before installing.  Enter the name of the program along with the word “spyware” in your search engine and see if warnings come up.  If you choose to install the software, run a spyware detector scan after installation to make certain you are still safe.

The Trojan Horse Method

A lot of spyware will try to convince you that it is actually something else.  These can range from pretending to be a utility that helps you play videos to pretending to be a piece of security software itself.  To protect yourself from this kind of malware, avoid installing anything from the web, especially from your Internet browser.  Never install from a pop-up window, and always check out any program you download.  Do not rely on the name of the program, check where it is coming from and, if possible, who made it.

Bundled Spyware

Some spyware creators will take perfectly good shareware and freeware programs and bundle them into a package along with spyware.  If you install the programs from that package, you get the good stuff but you also get the spyware.  To avoid this scam, always download any software you want from a legitimate website.  If possible look for the original creator’s website and get the software from there.

Browser Exploits, Viruses, and Manual Attacks

There are three other main vectors of attack, but all of them are less likely.  The first is when a spyware program takes advantage of a security hole in your browser.  To prevent this, always keep your browser and operating system up-to-date with the latest patches.

The second is via a virus or worm.  Some viruses actually carry spyware as their payload.  A good antivirus program should protect you against that method of attack.

The last is manual installation by a person with access to your computer.  Having a password protected away screen can protect you from this sort of access, but only up to the technological savvy of your attacker.

To be certain your system is safe, you should regularly run security checks on your computer as well as practicing safe browsing practices.  Find and run a good spyware detector whenever you suspect an infection and on at least a weekly basis.