What is spyware?
Spyware is a software that installs backdoor programs at a user's computer without the user's awareness. The user's data and privacy information will be stealthily collected, captured by these backdoor programs allowing hackers remote control of the user's computer.
To protect against spyware, a user must pay attention to the following aspects:
1. Don't easily trust and install those so called shareware or freeware. Shareware or freeware often contain advertisements, spyware and other undesirable software, which can possibly bring security risks.
2. Some spyware are installed through malicious websites. So stay away from these websites.
3. Install patches for your Windows system regularly. Hacker and spyware creators like to take advantage of Windows system vulnerabilities. Microsoft generally releases patches update on Tuesday of the second week of each month. Please download and install these patches regularly to repair your system vulnerabilities. (You can use RISING personal firewall to help you with this task.)
How to identify if you system had been infected by spyware?
If your computer had been infected by spyware, you probably could find the following changes.
a. Your web browser's home page had been changed and you cannot change it back.
b. Some new toolbars are installed.
c. Your antivirus and anti spyware software frequently report viruses, spyware, malware or Trojans found.
d. Frequent pop-up ads.
e. Computer becomes unacceptable slow and memory and CPU resources are mostly consumed by certain unknown programs and processes.
