Scumware

What is Scumware?

Scumware is the common word used to represent the various types of programs such as spyware, adware, malware, parasiteware, annoyware, spying cookies, and various types of viruses that affect you and your computer. Scumware hides on your computer system to display advertisements in the form of pop-up ads to try and lure you to their site to purchase a product for a for referral's fee.

How Scumware works.

Let's say you're interested in buying a camera online and your system is infected with some type of scumware without your knowledge. You see the camera you're interested from your favorite website and push the link to buy, instead of putting the affiliate code of the website so the website creator would get credit for the sale of the camera, the scumware automatically alters the affiliate link to an advertiser who will pay a referral fee for the pop-up or other form of scumware used to lure you away.

When scumware is attached to a "free" application you may have downloaded from the Internet the scumware may cause advertisement pop-ups to appear when you're using the Internet or keep track of your personal information and send it to companies for a fee. Meanwhile you think it's the owner of the website that is causing all these annoying pop-ups or banners to appear thus you decide to never visit their website again but in reality its spyware causing your problems all along.

How is scumware installed?
Most forms of scumware are installed on your computer when you install freeware, shareware or downloaded peer-to-peer. There are instances when scumware such as a Trojan horse or other type of virus is attached to a program you may have purchased out of the box or downloaded from a legitimate manufacturer without either party knowing the software was infected.

Usually when the software is included in freeware or shareware you may be prompted to install the scumware thinking it's an addition of the freeware or shareware but there are times when the scumware is automatically installed as soon as you visit an infected website. There are also forms that will install on your computer even if you select "no".

Another way scumware infects your computer system is through emails. This form of scumware usually looks like a free offer some type luring you into clicking the link which will then trigger the spyware to install on your computer.

How to protect yourself
The best way to protect yourself from scumware and spyware is to keep your computer up to date with security updates as well as whatever software you may using such as firewalls, spam protectors, or anti-spyware programs. If you don't already use anti-spyware software or suspect your computer may be infected with scumware or spyware then try our number one ranked product, Spy Sweeper to see if you're already infected. If you are looking to purchase anti-spyware software to protect your computer from scumware and spyware then please feel free to visit our website to see a side-by-side comparisons of all of the top Anti spyware programs. To learn more about spyware and harmful spyware infections see our spyware information page.