We hear all about the importance of anti-virus software these days, but how many times do we hear about the need for anti-spyware software?
Spyware is very prevalent these days. Many times simply visiting a web site will load spyware on your computer, with no indication that it is being loaded.
Spyware is software that is on your PC, which runs in the background without your knowledge. In the simplest form, it tracks what web pages you visit, and sends this information (without your knowledge) to a site that collects it. This is usually done for the purposes of sending ads and spam to you that are targeted to your interests. In more malicious instances, it can collect your login information such as user name and password for things such as your bank, and the information needed to access your credit card.
This is why having anti-spyware software is every bit as important as having anti-virus software. In addition to running the software, you need to ensure that the software is kept up to date. The bad guys are always coming up with new means of attacking, so your anti-virus and anti-spyware software needs to be kept current to keep up with the latest scams.
If you have noticed that your computer is running slower than it was, there is a very good chance that you have spyware on it. That is very often the first noticeable sign that it has been loaded. If you do not know if you are running anti-spyware (or anti-virus) for that matter, we can help you make sure that you are protected.