Sometimes we install seemingly innocent programs, but unbeknown to us there are other programs waiting to be installed as well which are not innocent. Some piece of software just annoy us with adverts we can get rid of, but others can harm your computer or even your bank account by giving away crucial information about you. Let’s take a deeper look at this software.

The biggest problem with Spyware that makes it most irritating is that is places itself on your computer without you ever knowing. Spyware works in the background of your computer to the point where your computer system will become sluggish. You won’t know it is there until you either do an investigation of your computer processes, or notice it listed on your program register.

Sometimes this sneaky program can be installed easily once found, the programmer knows the game is up once it has been found and lets you clean your computer, but then other like the Dotcomtoolbar are more spiteful and make it incredibly difficult to install even with most software designed to remove it. That shows you the kind of people you are dealing with here. There is always a way to remove things, but in some instances you may need professional help or instructions.

The initial wave of this software started because market research companies wanted to know what people were up to online. Of course now that has been twisted. You can get software that allows you to track every key pressed on a keyword, imagine that combined with the ability to track everywhere you go, every file you open, all your details will be exposed…

For some reason spam is still going strong - who buys from these emails and ads? One less dangerous thing this software can do is to display ads that popup on your screen every so often (or all the time!) for products they are promoting. Usually high value products so expect Viagra etc, the usual junk, but as soon as you close them down you know soon you are getting another one, a huge pain.

Another side effect is that you could have your name and address sent to scammers. When you fill in forms online then there are ways for software to recognise you are inputting an address and then take it and send it to the maker of the software. Not a nice thought.

People online can make money by directing you to sites of interest, which then pay the person who sent you there by tracking the process using cookies (all legit). Now these scammers can replace the cookies with their own (highly illegal) so that honest hard-working people online are cheated out of their money.

It is not all doom and gloom, there are programs out there that are perfectly legitimate and harmless, like the Alexa toolbar which I have on my computer. I allow it to track my activities willing and I know it is safe. However sadly 95% of the software out there has ulterior motives and can be used to steal from and manipulate you, that is why there are calls to ban this scourge completely.

Tags: Computers

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