If you have ever wondered how spyware and viruses get installed, and would like to learn how to best avoid them, this article is for you.
What is Spyware?
Spyware can be best defined as any program that installs itself automatically without the users consent. Usually spyware monitors user interactions with the computer. Using this information the spyware can then change homepages, default web browsers, or even install more spyware. Spyware delivers popup adds to you and monitors websites you have visited and targets popup adds specifically tailored to you. Spyware has also been known to modify internal settings for your internet connections. As a result, many users who report slower internet connections may have some form of spyware on their computer.
What are Viruses?
Viruses and spyware are often confused. Viruses, like spyware, can automatically install themselves and ‘infect’ a computer without the permission or knowledge of the user. A true virus can only spread itself through some form of executable code (executable code files have an extension of .exe). NOTE: Not all .exe files are bad, programs like Microsoft Office install through .exe files. Please make sure if you are installing an executable file you know and trust the source. Other than differences in installation, viruses are similar to spyware in what they do. Viruses can, however, install themselves in other computers that are on the same network.
How are Viruses/Spyware Installed?
(Information from Article Where does Spyware Come from at Address: http://ezinearticles.com/?Where-Does-Spyware-Come-From?&id=559578)
Installed Applications
File sharing software that allows you to download music and movies for free (such as LimeWire and Napster) are often the source for spyware. Also, applications that add little features to your computer install spyware as well. Some examples are programs that:
- Allow you to add graphics such as smile faces and hearts to your email
- Track the weather on your desktop
- Manage your desktop wallpaper or other graphics themes on your computer
- Video games
- Applications that claim to clean spyware
- Toolbars
Email
Just like viruses, spyware can be delivered via email. They usually come as file attachments, but they can also load automatically just by opening the email. Always check that you have the latest updates and patches for your email client.
Web Sites
Web sites can enable scripts that install spyware on your PC without you even knowing it. Browser developers usually try to combat this with updates, but sometimes users grant permission to the installation without even knowing they are doing so.
How Can you Avoid Spyware/Viruses?
- Keep your computer up to date by accepting the patches offered by Microsoft. These patches usually are presented the second Tuesday of each month.
- Keep your virus protection software current and insure active monitoring is enabled.
- Only trust programs, email and familiar web sites.
- Don't install anything on your computer that you haven't read a good review of from a reputable publication.
- Don't open attachments from email addresses you don't know.
- Avoid web sites that aren’t obviously trustworthy. You usually can get a good sense whether a web site is reputable or not just based on the look of it. Banner ads and pop-ups everywhere on a site are usually good indicators of a bad web site.
- Make sure that you have all the programs that UITS and ETS recommends for Spyware, and that those programs are automatically updating for new spyware/virus files.
Note:
If you install the types of programs this article mentions, you are putting you and all the information you store on your computer at risk. UITS monitors output from computers. If your computer is found to have a virus or spyware on it, UITS may remove your connection to the network. ETS usually has to completely erase the computer at that point before UITS will allow it back onto the network. Please be sure to be careful when installing any programs.