How Did Spyware End Up on My Computer?

The worst thing about spyware silently cohabitating on your computer isn’t just how long it’s been there or what it’s been up to, but figuring out how the program landed on your computer in the first place. Where does this stuff come from?

Just like weeds silently clinging to your socks as you a stroll through the woods, spyware attaches itself to your computer like a hitchhiking stowaway when you casually surf online. But before something can be installed on your computer you usually have to click on or open some object or program. Below are a few of the most common methods used to trick you into installing spyware:

• Opening spam email
• Clicking on deceptive popups
• Downloading free utilities, games, toolbars, media players, etc.
• File sharing programs
• Visiting corrupt websites
• Mainstream software applications

While there is plenty of content available on the Internet that is not designed to covertly watch your actions, there are many freebees and even over-the-counter software that come quietly bundled with spyware. Spyware not only gives advertisers an inside look at what interests you online, it can lead to disclosure of sensitive personal data as well. Here’s how spyware ends up on your hard drive and what you can do to prevent it.

First, one of the biggest mistakes you can make before you surf the web is to have your surfing security settings too low. A low security setting allows cookies and spyware programs to easily be stored in your computer memory. A few things that you can do in order to keep spyware off your computer include setting your Internet security at the default level or higher, scrutinizing what you download, keeping current on operating systems updates, and finally, installing an anti-spyware program on your computer to catch all that you miss. Anti-spyware will locate, quarantine then delete spyware that your computer unwittingly accepts.

Next, follow your instincts. If the source doesn’t seem familiar or trustworthy, don’t open the email, click the popup, or visit the site. Get your utilities from a source you trust