Security Centre
Where Did You Get Your Spyware?
Spyware is one of the worst software ever developed by the computer industry.
Where Did You Get Your Spyware?
Spyware is one of the worst software ever developed by the computer industry. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission, some 10 million individuals have fallen victim to identity theft, no thanks to spyware. This has led to losses amounting to over $5 billion for individual computer users and $48 billion for businesses.
To our great misfortune, there is no way we will ever get to live without these malicious bits of code. As long as there are computers, as long as there is the Internet and as long as there are cybercriminals lurking in the dark corners of cyberspace, we will always have to deal with spyware. The bad thing about it is that we often get it when we least expect it.
Sources of Spyware
Everything we do while we are online opens us to the possibility of our computers being infected with malicious code. Even if we are just surfing the Internet and reading articles on websites, there is a chance that malware is making its way to your computer.
Where do we usually get spyware? There are many ways by which we can download spyware by accident. Here is a brief rundown.
1. File sharing. When we download files from a file sharing site or from a torrents site, it is highly likely that we are downloading malicious code along with the file. It does not matter whether it is a music file or a screensaver or a free e-book.
Sometimes, you download malware with your consent without you being aware that you have given it. There are times that when you download a file, a pop-up box containing the end-user license agreement or EULA of the file appears. Few of us ever read EULAs from start to end. There are instances where those EULAs say that source of the file you are downloading will install spyware in your computer.
2. Social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace, Friendster and those numerous forums out there that you probably visit on a daily basis are not invulnerable to spyware. Be careful of the apps you use in those sites and be wary of the links you are being asked to click. You will never know if those apps and links contain malicious code.
3. Adult sites. No matter how much effort online morality advocates exert to rid the Internet of pornography, it will always be there. That is because for many people out there, adult sites and pornography sites are a guilty pleasure. Unfortunately, many of these sites are teeming sources of malicious code.
4. Instant messaging. Some instant messaging clients are conduits for spyware. Inasmuch as chatting with your friends through these instant messaging clients are fun, try to be vigilant about clicking links carelessly and about receiving messages from people you do not know.
Preventing Spyware Infection and Identity Theft
As mentioned above, you would not notice it if malicious code made it into your computer if your computer is not properly protected until it is too late. You would only experience an abnormal slowing down of your computer operations, various pop-up windows appearing when you surf the Internet, your homepage being changed without you noticing it, or the presence of toolbars that you could not delete.
The only way your computer can ever be safe from spyware is to install ample protection on your computer. Anti-spyware, anti-virus software and firewalls are the three essential programs that you should have running actively on your computer all the time.
You should also be wary of the websites you visit. Before you shop online or make fund transfers or pay for an Internet service, make sure that the website is secure and has a reputation for being safe. Also, you should set your anti-spyware software to alert you if the website you are visiting is compromised.
Be careful with the files you download voluntarily as well. Your computer security software should be able to tell you if the file you are downloading is malicious. You can also install a file downloading manager with a built-in security feature.
It is essential that you exert all efforts to protect your computer from spyware. If your computer is free from these malicious bits of code, you lower your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.
