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Detecting and getting rid of spyware

Whether you know it or not, you are being watched.

Spyware that spies on your internet browsing habits is everywhere and although most antivirus software like ESET’s NOD32, Norton Internet Security and the free Microsoft Security Essentials will detect the worst offenders, the most innocent, tracking cookies usually slips under the radar.

Tracking cookies are small text files downloaded to your personal computer when you visit a website. They are a harmless form of spyware designed to help websites recognise your preferences and reading patterns, like the whether you clicked on that pop up American citizenship add when you visited their website.

COOKIE DIET

In most cases cookies are completely harmless, but other computer users and websites can use them to see where you have visited online. You can avoid tracking cookies by setting your computer to delete your browsing history when you exit the browser. In Internet Explorer 8 find the setting under the Browsing History tab found via clicking on Tools>Internet Options.

If your system has slowed, pop-up advertising frequently appears on your screen, or toolbars you don’t remember downloading appear in your internet browser, you’re probably infected with more malicious forms of spyware.

They can arrive via websites, email and instant messaging services and even as an add-on to new software. Adware, or advertising software, often appears on the screen to the surprise of the user.

PIGGYBACK SPYWARE

Piggyback spyware, as it is called, often arrives through the back door with other new software that you do want, but the unwanted guest can reset your home page or fill your screen with advertising and too much of it can slow your system down

Most reputable software does not come with spyware, but anything you have downloaded from the internet for free probably does.

Symantec, which publishes Norton Internet Security, recommends against accepting free deals and urges users to always read the End User License agreement which will probably detail any extra software you are installing. It also warns against opening suspicious error messages in the web browser which can lead to the download of spyware.

RUN A REGULAR SCAN

Running a regular scan through your antivirus software will detect and remove spyware.  But the best cure is prevention – being vigilant about what you are downloading and installing.

If your antivirus software does not include a firewall, and you’re not already running Windows Defender, download it from Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx