As you surf the Internet, aka the World Wide Web, many times you encounter
offers that seem to be harmless. Programs, screensavers, backgrounds,
ringtones and a multitude of other computer related items are available to
download from the Internet for “Free”.
Are they really free? Maybe free of cost but if people took the time to read the
licensing agreement (EULA), they would find that many offers are not free of
strings. Of course, not all authors of spyware/malware include the information
in their EULA that even warns the user of the additional programs that come
with the “free” download.
These strings can include tracking programs to determine the sites you visit on
the web, Trojans, worms and other malware that can be used to call “home”
and run continually on your PC, key loggers that will steal your passwords
and call home with the info, programs that will provide unscrupulous
marketers with all of the email address in your address book so they can be
spammed, annoying pop-up ads, dialers, browser hijackers that will redirect
your browser to a new home page or search engine, and many other nefarious
malware programs that bog down or crash your computer.
Email is another common way that spyware/malware enters your computer.
Never, never, never open attachments on email from people that you don’t
know. Even if the email is from a known person, if you aren’t expecting an
email attachment from them, you should check with them first to verify the
authenticity of the email attachment. This one simple, safe computing practice
can eliminate most dangers that you encounter on the Internet.
Links in spoof email are another common source of spyware/malware. Never,
never, never (did we say never) click on links in an email purportedly from a
bank, company or other organization claiming that your account has a
problem, no matter how clever and convincing the spoof email may be. If you
aren’t sure of the validity of the email, simply go directly to the company’s
website, type in the URL and log in to your account. If there really is a
problem, it will show up immediately upon entering your account area.
Pornographic sites and gambling sites are the absolute worst offenders in the
spread of spyware/malware. If your surfing activities take you to these types
of sites, there probably isn’t any defense strong enough to protect your
computer from the inevitable infestation that will occur. The enormous
infections that occur when browsing these types of sites usually require a nuke
and pave approach to remove the infections – format the drive and reinstall all
software – a time consuming and expensive cure.
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