What is Spyware or adware and how to get rid of it

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What is Spyware and How to Get Rid of It

Excerpts have been quoted directly from individual websites:

What is Spyware & adware

Definitions and information

http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html

and

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/s/spyware.html

Also

spyware

Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or

organization without their knowledge. On the Internet (where it is sometimes called

a spybot or tracking software), spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer

to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties.

Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.

http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci214518,00.html

adware

Generically, adware (spelled all lower case) is any software application

in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running.

The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads,

which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar

that appears on a computer screen. The justification for adware is that it helps

recover programming development cost and helps to hold down the cost for the user.

http://searchsmallbizit.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid44_gci521293,00.html

Information Kit: Spyware

http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci905446,00.html

The Spyware Guide

was created to provide an all inclusive and updated resource on spy ware

applications, what they do and how they’re used.

These resources include: which software applications can detect and defeat spyware,

an extensive database of all known spy software and adware applications

and contact information as well as other privacy related products.

http://www.spywareguide.com/

Adware Report

http://www.adwarereport.com/

Spyware Reviews

Excerpt quoted from website

Here are our latest spyware reviews and spyware removal product comparisons.

We recommend only reputable and effective spyware removal products …

no rogues or disguised spyware installers. Our goal is to be your best source

of independent spyware reviews, so if you have comments or questions,

please don't hesitate to contact us!

http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/000004.html

Get Net Wise Spotlight – find out all about Spyware and Removal tools available

Excerpts quoted from website

http://spotlight.getnetwise.org/

More and more computer users are finding unwanted programs operating on their machines

that perform all sorts of annoying functions.

These programs often display unwanted ads, change users' browsers' default home pages,

add programs to the system tray and, in some cases, collect personal information.

These programs are installed without meaningful consent and are almost

always very difficult to uninstall or disable.

Learn More About Spyware.

http://spotlight.getnetwise.org/spyware/

What you should know about spyware

Published: April 16, 2004

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/devioussoftware.mspx

How to Get Rid of Spyware and adware

http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/spyware/

How to use Ad-Aware – the Free software download (link is to download spot at PCWorld)

Read complete article on LearnThat.com

http://www.learnthat.com/courses/computer/spyware/adaware.asp

Another link to download the free version of

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition 1.05

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

How to Get Rid of Spyware, Pop-Ups and Other Computer Pests

http://www.pcanswer.com/articles/synd_spyware2003.htm

Information about Ad-Aware SE Plus**Excerpt quoted from PCWorld

Long a favorite tool of computer users looking to rid their systems of annoying

adware and spyware, Ad-aware Plus offers real-time protection, much as

antivirus software does in blocking virus threats.

Many of us are familiar with the free version of Ad-Aware, which removes unwanted

adware and spyware after they land on your PC. For $27,

the Plus version offers more proactive features, such as real-time monitoring

for blocking pop-up ads. It also prevents home-page switches in your Web browser,

and it prohibits Web site-based Active-X programs from installing on your PC.

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22933,00.asp

Spybot Search and Destroy v1.3

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

What you can do to get rid of 'spyware'

David Coursey
Executive Editor, AnchorDesk
Monday, May 5, 2003

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/4520-7297_16-4207982.html

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Editors Note: you may find after removing some of these parasites especially

the ones that install unwanted Toolbars (BHOs) that your existing Toolbar setup may be corrupt.

Odd IE Toolbar Behavior

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/ietips.htm#Odd

Spyware and adware removal help

http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml

How to get rid of adware, spyware and porn dialers - Henson Tan

Date added: 2003-12-05

http://www.netguide.com.au/useful_stuff/tutorials/article.php?iid=49

Related Resources:

Home Page Setting Changes Unexpectedly, or You Cannot Change Your Home Page Setting

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320159

Home Computer security

http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

Odd IE Toolbar Behavior

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/ietips.htm#Odd

Computer Cops Forums

http://computercops.biz/forums.html

Top ten reviews

http://www.anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/

Cleaning out your PC Part 1

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=%2fdirectory%2fworldwide%2fen-gb%2fCleaningout.asp

http://tinyurl.com/3e3an

Part 2

http://tinyurl.com/2ncwg

Malware

What is malware, and what are the most common types?

Malware (from malicious software) is any type of programming intended to cause harm.

Viruses, worms, spyware, and Trojan horses are the most common examples of malware.

Among other things, a malware infection can: corrupt files, alter or delete data,

distribute confidential data, disable hardware, deny legitimate user access, and

cause a hard drive to crash. Frequently, malware is also designed to send itself

from your e-mail account to all the friends and colleagues in your address book.

The results of malware infection include wasted resources, compromised systems,

lack of regulatory compliance, lost or stolen data, and the loss of user and client confidence.

http://searchsmallbizit.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid44_gci991471,00.html