According to the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), spyware infects 90% (possibly more) of all PCs today. These hidden and highly malignant programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and anti-virus software without anyone being the wiser. Once installed in a computer, it can destroy the system’s performance while gathering personal information. Luckily, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate.

Where do they come from?

The first and most of common of three ways that spyware manifests itself on a computer is when the user himself installs it. The user downloads what appears to be a very handy program, installs it, and doesn’t realize that it came with a price- the installation of the spyware monster! Once installed, the spyware program immediately collects data for the spyware creator’s personal use or to sell to someone else. P2P programs should be approached with especial care since they are notorious for containing spyware. The software publishers are required to inform the users of software of the terms of use- which usually directly tell the user that spyware will be installed (and thus checked).

The second way that a spyware access your computer is by manipulating you to change your web browser’s security settings (or create holes in them). The browsers are designed not to allow websites to start any unwanted downloads. Thus download links are disguised so that when a user clicks on them, a download will begin. For example, pop-ups designed as simply Window’s Explorer windows will ask a yes or no question and will initiate a download no matter what your choice. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now making this spyware pathway a lot more difficult to utilize.

Often a webpage may also exploit security holes in a web browser by simply initiating a computer attack through the loading of an embedded coding on a website created for just that purpose (though put under quite a different guise).

What can spyware programs do?

Spyware programs do some things that are simply insignificant, while others are major problems.

1. Keystrokes monitoring (stealing passwords/usernames).

2. Hard drive scanning (Ad purposes).

3. Application scans (Ad purposes).

4. Install more spyware (Entrenchment and ad purposes).

5. Cookie Scan (Web browsing tracking for ad purposes).

6. Steal personal information (credit card info, etc.). (Identity Theft).

7. Evolve into a different form of spyware. (Entrenchment).

8. Slow computer/CPU speed. (Malicious intent).

9. Pop Ups. (Ads).

10. Spyware programmers get money from people for generating web traffic to a
website by having program place links on websites a user visits.

11. Uninstall not an option, hidden copies in multiple folders, different names,
constant self-replication. (Entrenchment).

12. Change browser home page. (Ad/web traffic purposes).

Spyware Prevention

Buy an anti-spyware program- there are numerous options a Google search away. Some are free. One can buy antivirus software with anti-spyware options.
Internet Explorer is the most used browser and is thus the browser most targeted (i.e., coding is specifically made for it).

No other options?

Back up data (scan before you do so, because even one infection can multiply) and re-install operating system. (Thus wiping the hard drive).