Spyware Blocker - Regain Control of your PC
May 7th, 2008 | by Foo |Aside from viruses and worms, spyware is one of the biggest threats to security and privacy in the internet and this threat is becoming worse. In a study by America Online and the National Cyber-Security Alliance, it was found out that almost 80% of the users surveyed have computers infected with some form of spyware. Every computer surveyed had an average of 93 spyware components installed in its system. Almost 89% of these computer users were not aware of the spywares’ presence in their units and 95% reported that they had not given permission for these spyware to be installed.
The Spyware Threat
The term spyware does not refer to a single type of software, in fact it covers a broad category of malicious software whose common denominator is that they are designed to undermine a computer’s operation and intercept or take control of it without the informed consent of the computer’s owner or user. Spyware is also akin to adware, tracking software, trojans, spybots and other malware. Spywares are typically installed without the user knowing it. This is because one of the tactics used by spyware is by deceiving the user into installing it. This happens because most spyware come bundled with legitimate software or exploit a security hole in a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer.
For most people, spyware is most noticeable in the form of pop-up ads and banners advertising a particular product or site. These unsolicited pop-up ads can also do more than just annoying the user and can be a way for the spyware to take a hold and install itself in the computer’s system. Furthermore, spyware pose a more serious threat to the security and privacy of internet users since they can secretly monitor the user’s web browsing activities as well as gather information entered into the computer such as credit card numbers which can be easily exploited by malicious personalities.
Spyware Blocker – Regain Control of your PC
The threat of spyware is increasingly getting worse. That’s why it is very important and necessary to equip any computer, whether used at home or in business with the right anti spyware and spyware blocker to prevent any spyware attacks. Programmers and firms have introduced programs and software that can help check the spread of spyware and help users regain control of their computers. These spyware blockers offer protection from spyware in two ways: real time protection and scanning/removal of software.
Spyware blockers offering real time protection prevent and block spyware from being installed. Meanwhile, spyware blockers offering scanning and removal eliminate spyware by scanning and inspecting a computer’s system and subsequently eliminate any file or entry that match a specific list of known spyware components.
Some spyware blockers are readily available for computer users. These include Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware SE which is one of the most popular spyware blocker today and Spybot – Search and Destroy. And since computers running on Microsoft Windows operating system are vulnerable to spyware attacks, Microsoft has also introduced its own spyware blocker in the form of Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta.
There is no excuse for leaving a computer vulnerable to spywares and other malware as there are many spyware blockers available that are effective in blocking and removing spyware as well as prevent it from being installed. It is highly recommended for all users to get the best spyware blocker for their computers.
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