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Spyware and Ad-ware Removal Part 1

In this day and age of the internet computers are being attacked faster than ever. What was once good computer defense has quickly become out dated. An unprotected computer falls victim to spyware and viruses within minutes of surfing on the internet on a broadband connection. Many computer manufacturers are installing spyware and adware right out of the box.

In order to help save your computer and protect your computer you need to know what you are up against. The first step in fighting off the enemy is to know who the enemy is. Many people will lump spyware, adware, malware and virus in the same category. This is not entirely true. First let me try to explain some of the difference of the "wares" you may find.

Adware is software that generates advertisements such as pop-up windows or links on Web pages that are not part of a page's code. Adware may add links to your favorites and your desktop. It will often change your home page and your search engine to sites that earn income from various advertisers. This income is dependent on, for example, how many people visit the adware site, or how many people click on the links or advertisements at the site. Ads are not bad by themselves but they become a problem when they are unauthorized. Unfortunately, many adware programs do not give users enough notice or control.

Spyware is software that collects and transmits user specific behavior and information, with or without permission. Sometimes, permission to collect and transmit is assumed to have been given simply by the act of installing software or loading a Web page. In reality, few people read EULAs (End User License Agreement) or Terms of Use/Service/Installation that are displayed during installation. Like ads, data collection can be okay if done with consent or for a reasonable purpose. For example, software that transmits user specific information for the legitimate purpose of confirming eligibility for updates or upgrades should not be classed as spyware. Programmers are entitled to ensure that their software is not being pirated, and that the users of pirated software are not receiving the same benefits as legitimate users.

Malware is software that damages your system, causes instability, or exhibits antisocial behavior such as changing settings or interfering with a computer's registry and security settings. Typical examples include computer viruses or worms.

Now that you have an idea of what spyware and Adware are, we will now begin to take a look as to where it comes from and how it gets on your computer.

Spyware and Adware is much like the annoying relative that comes for a weekend, but stays for a month. You may say ok to let him in for a little while but you just never get the heart to kick him out forever. Well, lets take a look at some of our favorite spyware and how they invite themselves (and Others) to your computer.

Adware may start off harmlessly as a program or utility you seen on the internet to make computing more "fun" or a program made to scan your computer for infections and "help" it run faster. Most if not all these programs will advertise themselves as "free". While you are click on the install button you may be thinking 'Gosh, how do those companies stay around giving stuff away?' Well, lets just say that there is nothing for free on the internet. You pay for it in cash, credit or system performance. But before we go any further I'd like to introduce you to my good friend 'Bonzai Buddy'...

Isn't he cute? For many years he was the bane of a computer techie's existence. This friendly little monkey would show up on a webpage advertising help with internet searches, and able to save you lots of money and even cook dinner( that last one is not confirmed). So many people would click on it and they would get a very friendly Bonzai buddy on their screen. All the time. ALLLLL the time. but thats not the worst of it. He had tons of friends and well lets just say he decided to invite them all over to your computer for a little party. Now what do these friends do? Well they tell you about the latest and greatest things on the internet. Mostly it was gambling and car insurance quotes. Which if you happen to click on those ads the people who brought you that ad would get a few pennies per visitor. Well take that and multiply it by millions of users and millions of clicks, and you make a tidy little profit. Which of course gave Bonzai Buddy a nice little check every month. Now most of those 'friends' that bonzai buddy invited to your computer with out you knowing are all working, all the time, at the same time. And what happens when too many programs run on your computer at once? It slows to a crawl. Oh by the way did I mention that Bonzai's friends had friends of their own. Oh yes, and at this point they are all making an internet b-line right for your system.

'But how can they all get away with this? Isn't it illegal? I never allowed them to come over'. Well, sadly you did. Enter the evil EULA.

E - End

U - User

L - License

A _ Agreement

What this very long document says that most people click on 'I agree' Or 'Next' to without blinking is that they allow the software to be installed on their computer, AS WELL AS any software, upgrades, and/or changes to system files by Bonzai Buddy and its affiliates. Affiliates meaning friends with more poorly written software that will choke any system performance you have left.

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