With rising computer ownership and Internet penetration, the
onslaught of cyber threats has correspondingly increased. In
particular, spyware and adware are among the two most common forms
of malware that web users are routinely exposed to.
Spyware is a computer program that is installed on your computer
without your knowledge. The infection may take place when you click
on the links provided in an unsolicited email or when you visit
compromised suspicious web sites. There are different types
of spyware but they all serve a common intent of stealing
information from your computer.
Internet URL loggers and screen recorders for example, can track
the sites you visit and take snapshots of screen changes and
transmit them to another computer. Key-loggers and password
recorders document everything you type, including sensitive
information such as log-in credentials of your Internet banking or
e-mail accounts. These can then be viewed by the person who
installed the programs on your computer.
Adware on the other hand, is a program which bombards you with
blinking Web advertisements or countless pop-up windows when you
perform a specific action such as opening your web browser. They
may have been installed when you visit compromised websites or when
you download software from untrustworthy sources.
Your brand new computer can be slowed to a crawl by Adware. Some of
these Adware can also alter your default homepage and re-direct
your web search to pre-defined portals such as pornographic
sites.
To rid yourself of the bane of spyware and adware, you should avoid
clicking on links contained in unsolicited e-mail and IM messages.
You can also install free software such as McAfee’s
SiteAdvisor - a tool which ranks millions of web sites according to
their threat level - so as to alert you to potentially risky sites
and help you find safer alternatives. It is also advisable to
disable pop-ups in your web-browser to prevent adware from from
opening another window when your surf.
Most security software packages such as those from Norton, McAfee
or Trend Micro also come with anti-spyware and anti-adware
capabilities. However, it is important to update these programs
regularly to ensure you are protected against the latest web
threats.
With rising computer ownership and Internet penetration, the onslaught of cyber threats has correspondingly increased. In particular, spyware and adware are among the two most common forms of malware that web users are routinely exposed to.
Spyware is a computer program that is installed on your computer without your knowledge. The infection may take place when you click on the links provided in an unsolicited email or when you visit compromised suspicious web sites. There are different types of spyware but they all serve a common intent of stealing information from your computer.
