Spyware 101
Spyware encompasses a broad range of information-gathering software that lurks on your computer. It sneaks around gathering information without your knowledge or permission. Spyware's pesky relatives include behavioral tracking software, adware, bots, backdoors, and trojans. If you encounter spyware, proceed with caution!
What Spyware Takes From Your Computer
These are the most common types of information spyware gathers
| Threat | Information gathered |
| Spyware Cookies | Online surfing habits, shopping habits |
| Spyware Key loggers | Track your keystrokes and steal your credit card information, bank details, SSN, and email |
| Spyware Trojans | Socially engineers you into delivering your Ebay accounts, Paypal accounts |
| Spyware Backdoors | Online and offline passwords, credit card numbers, address, phone number, and other information stored on your computer that could be used for identity theft, or other financial fraud |
| Spyware Snoopers | Instant messaging conversation, web surfing sessions |
Most spyware is used collect information for marketing purposes. Other times it's used to outright steal your personal information so that it can raid bank accounts, steal your identity, and cause other financial or personal harm.
Downloading an antivirus & antispyware solution will combat these invisible thieves. CyberDefender has a host of products that will work on your behalf, keeping you and your computer safe.
Meet the Good Cop: Antivirus / Antispyware
Antivirus / antispyware works to detect and remove the evil, lurking, harmful spyware from your system. It's worth noting that many computer users confuse computer viruses with spyware. It's understandable as the two have morphed into basically the same thing - a huge headache for those affected. Reputable antivirus / antispyware manufactures configure their software to detect not only spyware, but malicious viruses, trojans, and a host of other ills.
How Antivirus / Antispyware Protects Your Computer (and You!)
Most antivirus spyware works by scanning your computer on a regular basis. You can decide how often you want the antivirus spyware to scan your system. Usually, it is set to do so when you turn your system on. Internet security experts advise that, at a minimum, you should: (i) download antivirus spyware; (ii) set it to scan your system regularly; and (iii) update it regularly. After the initial set-up of any of the CyberDefender products, you pretty much don't have to think about it again. It's that easy.
Beware a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Many computer users download and use free antivirus / antispyware. This can do more harm than good in some cases. Why? Because some antivirus / antispyware is created to be spyware itself! Sneaky, isn't it?
First off, any free antivirus download should be a red flag to any computer user, for a number of reasons. Ask yourself, why is the software free? To avoid the mistake of downloading spyware disguised as antispyware, purchase your software from a reputable service provider. CyberDefender EarlyDetectionCenter 2.0TM is antiviral software from CyberDefender Corp. It offers protection from viruses, spyware, phishing, and dangerous spam. And did we mention the initial download is FREE? Good stuff.
Things are Not Always as They Appear
One of the more insidious ways criminals have stolen millions of dollars is through trojans. Hopefully no one would download something that says, "Download this trojan, please!" So, instead, they are hidden in something you do want - a game, a screensaver, a coupon - something that seems harmless and innocent.
This is why it's so important to be able to trust the sites that you're visiting on the web. With MyIdentityDefenderTM Toolbar, you'll get easy-to-understand ratings for sites (green means "go!" red means "no way!") that will assist you in staying safe. Because sometimes, even the most seemingly innocent sites are set up just to lure you into downloading a deceptive product. Then, when your computer starts acting up or money goes missing from your bank account, it may never even occur to you that the harmless little screensaver you downloaded from that cute site is what did you in!
Once it's on your system, it collects all kind of data about you. For example, if you log into your online banking account to pay bills, it can get your password, which allows the thief to transfer funds from your account to his. It's human nature to want to trust that people are being kind. But websites are not people so don't feel bad for second - guessing them.
You Can Help Other Computer Users
The MyIdentityDefenderTM Toolbar has a feature set that is designed to keep you away from harmful sites that serve up spyware, viruses, adware, annoying pop-ups, and more. One way the toolbar does this is through its rating system (green for "go", red for "dangerous"). The CyberDefender has collected information on millions of sites worldwide that can be harmful or annoying to you. The toolbar also allows users to rate sites based on their own experience. You can rate the websites you visit, on a scale of 1-5 stars, and see how others rated the sites, too.
By not inviting viruses and spyware onto your computer, you minimize the risk of sharing these hreats with your friends, family and colleagues.
Your first step in protecting yourself against spyware is to get your hands on the free download of CyberDefender Early Detection Center. This will alert you to any existing spyware, viruses, trojans, or other threats on your computer. Then you'll need the MyIdentityDefenderTM Toolbar, to keep you safe while browsing the internet.
