One of the biggest threats facing “Internet Surfers” today is Malicious Software. For the purposes of this article this software will be referred to as spyware.

Spyware is designed to take at least partial control of the infected computers operation and then track specified actions sending the information back to a hacker. Most spyware is relatively harmless to the computer and the data contained on it. However, all spyware will have some negative affect on the speed and performance of the system.  The more innocuous forms of this software will generally do things like track what websites the user visits in order to target advertisements to them. More severe spyware can be used to track sensitive data such as financial information, passwords, network addresses, etc.

Typically spyware will not self-replicate which is how it differs from a virus. It is however very similar to a virus in the way that it is covertly installed on to the users system. Most spyware is installed by the user, but normally without the users knowledge. It is often installed along with a desirable program that the user downloads. Spyware can also be installed through any user action such as clicking on a link or a pop-up ad or even just visiting a website that is controlled by the spyware author.

If your computer is infected with spyware or any type of malicious software it is at least not running as well as it could and in the more serious situations your valuable personal information is potentially being stolen from you. Your best defense against spyware is to be careful what sites you go to, what you click on and what applications you download. It is important to get the latest versions of a good anti-virus and anti-spyware program and keep the definitions updated at all times. Make sure to have those programs do a full system scan every week or two. Most of the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs can be set to download updates and scan the computer automatically, which is normally a good idea. Also, make sure you set your computer to download and install any available Windows updates automatically. These things in circuit will help to minimize your risk.