"Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user."
And I bet you do too. For those of you who don't know what spyware is, "Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user.". And Malware is "...a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.". Yeah... it's not something you wanna' mess with at all. But I gotta' tell you the hard truth...
You Probably Have It And Don't Know It
Yep, the majority of people have malware on their computers and don't even realize it. Mac's typically don't have malware, not because their more secure, but because they're used far, far less so malware creators don't program for the Mac. So Windows PC's are the sol target of malware. Let's go over some of the forms of malware so you can better understand what it is.
Malware Can Be:
- A browser toolbar you never installed
- "Security messages" displaying "your at risk", ect.
- Pop-up advertising on your computer (Adware)
- Toolbars in your browser you never installed
- Change to your browser home page
- Change to your desktop wallpaper
- New icons appearing in your taskbar
- New icons appearing on your desktop or Start Menu
- Unusual new amounts of email spam
- Sluggish performance of your computer
- Problems with your computer starting
- Errors with your programs or operating system
That's a huge amount of probable causes, huh? Well yeah, that's how powerful malware is. And we haven't even talked about what spyware does.
Spyware Can:
- Record keystrokes made from your keyboard
- Record snapshots of your computer screen
- Record internet browsing history
- Record IM and email conversations
- Record webcam video (activating it remotely)
- Record passwords
Yeah, this isn't fun stuff, this is serious. Spyware and malware is the actual reason I started working on client's computers years ago. And here's the deal, most times you're infected by spyware and malware and don't even know it. The worst case scenarios is if a keylogger, a spyware-type program that records every keystroke, is installed onto your computer without your knowledge. That could lead to a ex-lover finding sensitive information about you, to a rival competitor finding out secrets stored on your computer, to the worst... somebody finding out your banking account information and password to transfer (steal) money from you.
You Shouldn't Be Afraid To Use Your Computer
I don't want you afraid of using your desktop or laptop. It's a tool, just like anything else, and it's here to help make your life easier, just like a chainsaw helps make a lumberjack's life easier. But, with malware and spyware, it can turn this tool we call a PC into something dangerous, just like a rusty cutting chain can turn a chainsaw into something dangerous for a lumberjack.
It doesn't have to be this way though. I have a set of the world's top tools at my disposal to do one of two things... to search and remove any malware and spyware from your computer, and also to teach you how to prevent future malware from being installed yourself.
"The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses."
You ever hear that saying, "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day"? Well that's what most IT guys want to do. Come out, fix your problems, and then wait for the problem to come back so they get a call and, of course, get paid again and again. I believe in the philosophy "Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for life.", and that's how I conduct my business.
True Security Starts With You, Not A Program
The best software in the world won't keep a user safe is he / she doesn't take steps to protect themselves. When I'm with a client removing malware, I setup tools to try to prevent malware from being installed. But if I were to just leave it like that, that malware will come back like a cat with nine lives. Instead, what I do is teach my clients what to do to keep their computer safe. That includes showing them how to do an automated search of their computer for malware, what to do if they find it, and safe computer habits.
In other words, I teach my clients how to be proactive instead of reactive. Sure, it doesn't bring in as much money as if I went out multiple times to remove spyware from a client's computer, but it's the right thing to do.
If you think you have malware, get in touch with me and we'll work, together, to make sure you have a safe computer experience.