Spyware Information
Spyware can infect home and business computers unknowingly when you surf the Internet or share files. Difficult to find and hard to remove, spyware can steal confidential information resulting in identity theft and credit card fraud. The term "malware", derived from the words: "malicious" and "software", is also used to describe these computer threats.
Spyware symptoms and characteristics include the following:
- Popup ads - displays advertisements intrusively
- Keyloggers - records your personal data
- Browser hijackers - changes your web browser settings
- Remote influence - influences or controls your computer remotely
- Unsolicited files - makes attempts to download and install files on your computer
- Shutdown or disable - disables programs or processes
- Unauthorized phone calls - makes calls via the phone modem
- Security flaw exploits - takes advantage of system or network flaws for remote access
- Internet connection floods - interrupts or temporarily disables an Internet connection
- Threat proliferation - spreads quickly and easily from computer to computer
- Tracking - tracks your Internet activity and can send this information remotely
- Installation - installs software on your machine without your consent
- Uninstallation - makes uninstalling and removing the item difficult
- Privacy and Consent - fails to properly disclose potential privacy risks
Along with fraudulent, unethical, and illegal activities, there are other common effects that are a result of malware activities. These can include reoccurring system errors and program failure. In many cases, spyware programs hog system resources and monopolize processing time. Results can include poor computer performance, system non-responsiveness, unexpected behavior and program termination.
You can find additional information online here: http://www.ParetoLogic.com/resources/characteristics.aspx
See also:
About ParetoLogic Anti-Spyware
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