Spyware Basics
What is spyware?
You may know online spyware by one of its many names; adware, malware, crimeware, scumware, snoopware. Any way you name it, spyware is an extremely dangerous online threat that jeopardizes your computer’s data and your personal information.
Spyware comes in many forms including adware, keyloggers, Trojans, system monitors, browser hijackers, and dialers. It ranges from unnerving adware tracking cookies, which let online companies track your activities on a Web site and tailor pop-up ads based on your choices, to disturbing spyware programs like Trojans, keyloggers and system monitors, which capture keystrokes, online screenshots, and personally identifiable information like your social security number, bank account numbers, logins and passwords, or credit card numbers.
What are the symptoms of online spyware infection?
Because of its stealthy nature, most Internet users are more familiar with the symptoms of a spyware infection than with its many names. Nine out of 10 Internet-connected PCs are infected with spyware, so it’s very likely some form of spyware is already installed on your computer. Your PC may be infected if you recognize any of these symptoms:
- Sluggish PC performance
- An increase in pop-ups
- Mysterious new toolbars you can’t delete
- Unexplained changes to homepage settings
- Puzzling search results
- Frequent computer crashes
How does spyware find me?
Even if you're careful, you can pick up spyware through normal Internet computing:
- Share music, files or photos with other users
- Install software applications without fully reading license agreements
- Visit any media-supported Web site and you're bound to get a tracking cookie
How serious is the online spyware threat?
The facts speak for themselves:
- Nine out of 10 PCs connected to the Internet are infected with spyware*
- 88% of Spy Audit scans found some form of unwanted program (Trojan, system monitor, cookie or adware) on consumer computers*
- U.S. consumers spent $7.8 billion over the last two years for computer repairs, parts and replacements because of malware attacks.
– Consumer Reports, September 2006 - Some form of spyware can be found on 87% of corporate PCs*
- In 2006 alone, Phileas (Webroot’s automated threat research system) found 3 million malicious websites, a 250 percent increase from 1.2 million malicious websites found in 2005 – Webroot Software, March 2007
- $198.44 million dollars was lost in 2006 due to cyber fraud with a median dollar loss of $724.00 per complaint. This is up from $183.12 million in total reported losses in 2005 – Internet Crime Complaint Center Report, January-December 2006
*State of Spyware Report
Spyware prevention
When you arm yourself with information and resources, you’re wiser about computer security threats and less vulnerable to threat tactics.
Finding a fix
For virtually everyone surfing the Internet, spyware is a nuisance, but it can lead to much more serious consequences – like credit card fraud and identity theft. Surfing the Web without a quality antispyware program puts your identity at risk – Don’t become a victim!