Anti Spyware Software - Common Questions

Q: What is spyware?

A: Spyware is defined as 'Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes.'

Q: What is adware?

A: Adware is defined as 'Any computer program or software package in which advertisements or other marketing material are included with or automatically loaded by the software and displayed or played back after installation or in which information about the computer or its users activities is uploaded automatically when the user has not requested it'.

Q: How do I know if my computer is infected wtih spyware or adware?

A: The only way to be certain if your system is infected is to run a spyware scan using apyware blocker / anti spyware software. Some indicators that your computer may have been infected with spyware or adware include:

• runs consistently slower than usual

• frequently stops responding

• your internet browser home page changes to a different site

• the automatic appearance pf popup windows

• you want to go to one website, but your internet browser goes to another website

• instead of getting an error when going to an invalid page, you are taken to a site with ads all over it.

Q: How does spyware get on my computer?

A: There are many ways for spyware to find it's way onto your system. Some of the most common methods include:

• installed with another (usually free) program

• installed through a web browser

• installed through instant messaging or file sharing programs

• installed by a virus