Bs1234 Jessica Simpson

Spyware is the online plague of the year 2000 and beyond. You no longer have to receive emails with viruses in them or even click on dangerous links on websites. Simply surfing the web can now leave you wide open to the costly nuisance that is spyware. Just when you thought it was safe to dip your virtual toe back in the online water you now have to deal with spyware and malware as a threat - on top of all the other online dangers that exist.

So what exactly is spyware? Spyware is the process whereby programs or applications are installed on your computer without your agreement. The most common way for this to happen is when you install a separate application such as a file sharing program or free download utility on your computer. The program you install also places some "extra" programs on your computer. These extra programs perform tasks ranging from recording what websites you visit to popping up ads on your screen. More worrying are the spyware programs that record everything you type on your keyboard. That's right. Your most private instant messages, emails and chat room discussions can easily be stored and transmitted without your approval. This obviously can also include financial information.

There following are the most common and most worrying types of spyware:

Adware

These are small programs which sit on your computer just waiting for you to go online. Once the adware detects that you're connected to the Internet it starts sending you popup, popover and popunder ads for anything from airline tickets to Best Porn Sites site memberships. Not only that but information on your viewing habits is then sold on to marketing companies who will then send you more junk email and popup ads than you ever thought possible.

Browser Hijacker

These are just plain annoying. These install themselves on your computer and change your default homepage and search engine to another default page - usually with heavy advertising on it. Every time you start your web browser it will bring you to a page filled with ads, Best Porn Sites or other unwanted material. This interrupts your web browsing and is intensely annoying. Most browser hijackers are also data miners. A data mining program reports your web browsing habits to a central database. This information is then sold on to marketing companies for their use and your annoyance.

Keyboard Logger

These programs are designed for one thing - theft. When you log in to your online banking these can record your PIN number. When you check your private email account these programs can record your password. Keyboard loggers are potentially one of the most damaging pieces of spyware because of the potential financial dangers and theft of personal information.

Modem Hijacker

Potentially the most costly spyware. Modem hijackers are also referred to as diallers. Diallers normally install themselves to your computer via a virus infection or from warez, mp3 or adult websites. A dialler is a small piece of software that will dial long distance, premium rate phone numbers when you're not at your PC. These phone numbers are normally for adult chat line services located in Russia, China, South America and the Phillipines. I have personally seen unlucky victims receive $2,000 bills for one month of telephone calls.

The good news is that several responsible companies have made it their mission to help eradicate the menace of spyware and you won't be short of choices when you're looking for a good spyware remover.

This article was provided courtesy of http://www.SpywareDemon.com where you can discover more about free spyware stoppers and other helpful anti spyware information.