Spyware Removal - Keep Your System Safe From Harm

By Susan Reynolds

Without you even knowing it, your computer might be infected with spyware at this very moment. A recent study done by a large online research company concluded that 89% of computers on the Internet are infected by this malicious type of software. Spyware removal is therefore not something you can leave for another day.

The arrogance of the distributors of spyware is clear from the fact that they mostly install this on your computer without your knowing it having given your permission. The mildest form of spyware is the so-called 'aware' programs. Their only purpose is to monitor every website that you visit and then display advertisements to you which are related to the subjects that you were browsing.

You might also notice all sorts of popups appearing inexplicably on your screen from time to time. These are mostly caused by spyware or adware. Many of them will display an alternative page when you try to buy something online.

If you regularly visit online gaming websites, adult sites or crack sites you are a prime target. So too if you make use of P2P file download sites. Innocent looking free wallpapers and screen savers might not be so innocent after all.

Something not a lot of people are aware of, is that very often spyware is installed on your computer with your consent. When you register for an online email service (the well-known brand names included) there is a clause somewhere in the fine print where you actually give them permission to monitor your emails and then display "content related" advertisements to you.

More serious forms of spyware will actually log every single keystroke you make on your computer. One can easily understand why this is so dangerous. If a person could install such a keystroke monitor on your computer, he could easily capture personal information such as your online banking passwords and use that to empty your bank account! Stealing your personal tax information by using one of these could also have disastrous results for you.

Ordinary anti-virus tools do not pick up the majority of spyware and adware. This is because they work differently from the normal computer virus and often embed themselves in the computer's operating system. To remove spyware from your computer, do a search on Google for spyware removal tools. There are many programs you can download for free - beware, however, that the "spyware removal tool" is not actually a spyware installation tool. A good one that we have tested is Advanced System Care.

First close your browser and disconnect from the Internet before starting the scan. If the program picks up spyware or adware, it will ask your permission to remove it. Unless you have a very good reason not to do so, say "yes" to allow it to remove the spyware from your computer.

Spyware removal is not something you should do one a year, or even once a month. If you knew how many websites were trying to install spyware or aware on your computer during a normal day's web surfing, you would actually do it on a daily basis. Once a week is the absolute minimum. - 30432

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