Spyware and Adware
Often accused of being drive-by downloads, these pesky Internet parasites can quickly take advantage of an improperly secured system. Find out how to protect yourself and which tools remove the pests.
Considering the lengths some companies will go to in order to ensure their adware/spyware cannot be easily removed, the best protection is prevention. Fortunately, preventing adware and spyware is simple enough and won’t cost you a dime.
Termed Adware, the Internet is filled with programs that hijack your PC for profit, most hidden inside so-called “free” downloads and pop-up ads that forcibly install software on systems with improper security configurations.
Spybot Search and Destroy, a.k.a. Spybot-S&D (or just plain Spybot), is one of the most popular anti-spyware packages available. It is also free.
SpyWear: What does your clothing say about you?
From Mary Landesman, Jan 7 2005 The headline of an August 2004 press release from EarthLink screams, “TWO MILLION SCANS UNCOVER 55 MILLION INSTANCES OF SPYWARE”. And the same source reports that as of Sept 27, 2004, a total of 3,219,855 had uncovered an average of 26 traces of spyware per scan. But the EarthLink [...]
Microsoft’s decision to enter the spyware arena has not been without controversy. Those who blame Internet Explorer and Windows for the current spyware problem charge that the software giant is poised to charge for the misfortune they’ve allegedly caused.
Related.htm is nothing more than a semi-useful feature that’s there if you need it, that somehow got caught in the crosshairs of overzealous spyware protectors.
I-SPY and SPY Act have passed Congress, but experts believe these two bills miss the heart of the problem – and leave those who fight against adware/spwyare at risk
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has lodged a complaint against those allegedly behind the so-called ‘lonely housewives’ spam.