10 Tell Tale Signs of Computer Spyware and Adware Infection
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Austin Akalanze July 31, 2006
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Though there are no warning signs to indicate that spyware or adware
is being installed on your system, there are several tell tale signs to
alert you of their presence, once they install. I have compiled here
for your convinence 10 tell tale signs that can warn you of the
presence of adware or spyware on your computer. Here they are.
1. Browser change: Frequent, unauthorized changes in your browser
landing page or homepage should be a warning sign that something is
going on with your computer. Your home page is the first page that you
come to when you log on to your internet account.Very often, this page
is the home page of your Internet Service provider (ISP), except if you
changed it. If you find your home page changing frequently to pages
that you do not know, there is a good chance that your system is
infected by spyware or adware.
2. Busy system or modem light:
A lighted system or modem indicator is a sign of on going activity. If
you are not online using your computer, the modem indicator should not
come alive. A flickering modem light when no one is online is a good
indication that something is going on with your computer.
3. Influx of unwanted emails:
Everyone gets a certain amount of junk mail everyday. However, a sudden
spike in the number of unwanted email to your computer should be a
cause for investigation. There might be sypware working behind closed
doors in your computer.
4. System slow down:
Have you noticed how your speed demon suddenly slowed down to a crawl
like an old witch? If it is taking more time to launch your
applications and even longer to load web pages, if your Windows xp or
2000 Task manager on launch indicates almost all available resource in
use, you might be dealing with a case of spyware activity.
5. Unwanted redirects:
Spyware and adware have the ability to redirect your search to web
sites or pages of the choosing of the program owners. If youend up at
sites and webpages that you did not search for, there is a good chance
that you are being redirected by the unseen hands of spyware and adware
owners.
6. Intrussive banners:
Some spyware open up your browser for an avalanche of banner displays.
Very often, these banners are hard to close. A lot of times, they are
replaced as quickly as you close them. Sometimes the banners are so
plenty, they overwhelm your system resources.
7. Unwanted pop-ups:
Pop-ups when properly used, are a good resource to have on the web.
They are used by responsible marketers to direct you to additional
resources. However, pop-ups can be abused by aggressive advertisers
through the use of adware or spyware. Disregarding professional
marketing and advertising ethics aggressive advertisers employ adware
and spyware scripts to spam your browser with unwanted and sometimes
illicit offers.
Another variation is the use of personalized pop-ups. When you begin
to receive multiple pop ups with your name on them, that is an
idication that someone is spying on you with spyware.
8. Unknow 900 numbers:
900 number are not very common. They usually carry a charge for access.
Have you noticed a spike in your phone bill with charges to 900 numbers
that you do not know? You might have been spied on a spyware program
owner. It is believed that spyware and adware are responsible to a
certain percentage of the identity theft crime that we see and hear
about often today.
9. Foreign entries in your favorite folder:
If you all of a sudden begin to see foreign items in your favorite
folder, be warned. There is a good chance that someone has caused those
items to appear there. It is suggested that you check your favorite
folder frequently and delete unfamiliar entries.
10. Additional browser toolbars:
The presence of a toolbar that you did not install on your system, may well be another tell tale sign of spyware presence.
The average Internet user does not ordinarily fool around with
toolbars. Most people are satisfied with the Internet Explorer, Yahoo
and may be Google toolbars. If a toolbar looks unfamiliar to you, it
probably is and should be investigated and possibly removed.
Finally, there are times when it may seem all is well. Do not rest
of your oars. A good rule of thumb for living on the internet is to do
your due dilligence. Be proactive. Deploy some security systems and
scan your computer frequently as some spywares and adwares operate in
stealth.
Your system is your investment. Protect it.
This article is brought to you by http://www.allspywarefree.com/
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