Think you're safe? Think again.
It was around eight in the morning when I was doing my usual e-mail-checking routine; Avast set off the virus alarm. (For those who don't have Avast, the alarm siren is extremely loud and is followed by a lady's voice that says, "Warning. There is a virus on your computer.") Almost immediately after receiving that virus alert, another came up! The next thing I knew, I was being bombarded with pop-ups and Trojan alerts. Hacker? No. Evil prank? No. It was...spyware!
I dramatically clutched my heart, terrified and sweating all over. How could this be? I hadn't installed anything recently, and I scan for spyware every other day. The whole situation baffled me. After closing all the car-insurance and pornography ads, I immediately called my cops, Ad-Aware and Spybot. They came to the rescue, revealing more than 40 types of spyware that were burrowed deep into my system. The experience still burns to this day, and I have yet to figure out where it all came from.
--Zachary
Alabama, U.S.A.
One of the common misconceptions about spyware is that you have to download something or use a file-sharing application to become infected. Spyware makers are as clever as virus writers when it comes to getting their products installed on computers. Some spyware gets installed from ActiveX controls embedded in Web sites. Also, since many applications that incorporate some kind of Web access rely on Internet Explorer's code to display Web pages, you can end up downloading spyware without even having your browser open. Some spyware makers take existing downloadable applications from trustworthy developers and repackage them with spyware. Even the most conscientious users are likely to contract a case of spyware from time to time, so it's a good idea to scan your computer at regular intervals--even every day.
--Download.com editors
Stories
- > Big Brother has your number (and your name)
- > The 180 Search Assistant runs amok
- > Not even a geek could slay this beast
- > Free music with a terrible price
- > The pitfalls of pornography
- > Spyware that comes out swinging
- > Think you're safe? Think again.
- > The seventh circle of spyware hell
- > Hey, shouldn't this be illegal?
- > Spyware that makes small children cry
