In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.
In simpler terms, spyware is a type of program that watches what users do with their computer and then sends that information over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious versions can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popup advertisements.
For a lengthy article on spyware and it's effects, check the Wikipedia document here.
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Here is a suggestion for a safer browsing experience.
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Here are some suggestions for different products for protecting yourself against spyware.
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| Ad-Aware Personal |
Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. This software is downloadable free of charge.
- Scans fixed and removable drives, memory and Windows registry
- Detects known and unknown variants of malware by using the Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology
- Removes aggressive spyware and malicious content
- Takes advantage of a fully featured quarantine support
- Logs information about scans and malicious content removal
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Free |
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| Microsoft Defender |
Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.
- Enhanced performance through a new scanning engine.
- Streamlined, simplified user interface and alerts./li>
- Improved control over programs on your computer using enhanced Software Explorer.
- Multiple language support with globalization and localization features.
- Protection technologies for all users, whether or not they have administrator rights on the computer.
- Support for assistive technology for individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities.
- Automatic cleaning according to your settings during regularly scheduled scans.
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Free* |
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| Spybot S&D |
Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. |
Free |
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In computer security, computer virus is a self-replicating computer program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents. A computer virus behaves in a way similar to a biological virus, which spreads by inserting itself into living cells. Extending the analogy, the insertion of a virus into the program is termed as an 'infection', and the infected file, or executable code that is not part of a file, is called a 'host'. Viruses are one of the several types of malicious software or malware. In common parlance, the term virus is often extended to refer to worms, trojan horses and other sorts of malware; viruses in the narrow sense of the word are less common than they used to be, compared to other forms of malware.
While viruses can be intentionally destructive, for example, by destroying data, many other viruses are fairly benign or merely annoying. Some viruses have a delayed payload, which is sometimes called a bomb. For example, a virus might display a message on a specific day or wait until it has infected a certain number of hosts. A time bomb occurs during a particular date or time, and a logic bomb occurs when the user of a computer takes an action that triggers the bomb. The predominant negative effect of viruses is their uncontrolled self-reproduction, which wastes or overwhelms computer resources.
For a lengthy article on computer viruses, check the Wikipedia document here.
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Here are some suggestions for different products for protecting yourself against computer viruses.
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| Avira AntiVir |
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic reliably protects your private computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and costly dialers.
More than 15 million users worldwide trust in the reliable protection of Avira AntiVir. And this is no coincidence at all: Avira has gained several awards. The product combines first-class detection rates and ease of use with a top performance that protects your computer safely and hardly burdens older PCs.
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Free |
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| AVG Anti-Virus |
AVG Anti-Virus Free is a free anti-virus protection tool developed by GRISOFT for home use. We invite you to join the millions of satisfied customers worldwide who have downloaded the software and now enjoy the benefits of AVG Anti-Virus Free.
- Easy to use
- Regular and automatic virus database updates
- Realtime protection of files and e-mails
- Scheduled and manual testing
- Windows and Linux
- And most of all ... great customer satisfaction!
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Free |
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| avast! 4 Home Edition |
avast! 4 Home Edition is a full-featured antivirus package designed exclusively for home users and non-commercial use. Both of these conditions should be met! Our company offers the Home Edition free of charge, since, in our
opinion, it is possible to avoid global virus spreading by efficient prevention; however, many users are not able to or do not want to pay for antivirus software. This page will show you the most important features of this program.
- Antivirus kernel
- Automatic updates
- Simple User Interface
- Virus Chest
- Resident protection
- System integration
- P2P and IM Shields
- Integrated Virus Cleaner
- Network Shield
- Support for 64-bit Windows
- Web Shield Internationalization
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Free |
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* You must have a compatible Windows Operating System - check Microsofts website for more information.
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| Please Note: We do not provide techinical support for the software listed above, you would need to contact each software title's vendor for help. Not all software has been tested with our system. |
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with a resolution of 1024x768 or larger!