Spyware-Adware:
Viruses and worms have existed for years, but a new form of malware has recently appeared. Sometimes called Adware, this insidious stuff can be used to steal your identity:
- Tracks your Internet surfing and reports all sites you visit to an unknown remote location.
- Records your userids and passwords as you type them and reports them to an unknown remote location.
The information collected about you is traded or sold to individuals who are often associated with international organized crime. Your stolen information can be used to attack you immediately or used against you at some future time. To avoid infection by Spyware, follow the advice for Responsible Computing. In addition, don't use:
- add-on menu bars in your Internet browser
- shopping programs (e.g., Gator)
- coupon programs
- any program that offers to save your userids or passwords for you.
Modern Antivirus software can detect Spyware, but you should use specialized programs to detect and remove Spyware from your computer. A highly-rated free program that detects and removes Spyware:
Using this program can help protect your computer against infection and remove many infections already present.
Check the Computer Security Reference document SPYWARE Section for additional information (pdf)
