Spyware and malware

Spyware and malware are the latest ‘computer nasty’ buzzwords, along with Phishing, and can cause you all kinds of problems.

What are spyware and malware?
How does my computer become infected with spyware and malware?
How do you know if you’ve been infected by spyware and malware?
Software that can remove spyware and malware on your computer.
Tips on preventing your computer from becoming infected with spyware and malware.

What are spyware and malware?

The terms Spyware and Malware cover any software that covertly gathers user information through your Internet connection without your knowledge, often for advertising purposes. Spyware and Malware are, in effect, types of virus.

Spyware and malware tend to send information about your computer to another. This results in your being pestered by adverts in popup windows (web site windows that just pop up on the screen), spied upon, or even having information lifted from your computer!

How does my computer become infected with spyware and malware?

Spyware and malware tend to be bundled with freeware (free software that you can download from the Internet) or shareware (free downloadable software that is usually not the full version, and which asks you to make a donation to the manufacturer). Freeware and shareware are a very good way in which to spread spyware and malware, as everyone likes things that are free.

Spyware and malware can also install themselves on your computer if you visit some web sites, which put the program to your computer without your knowledge.

How do you know if you’ve been infected by spyware and malware?

There are some obvious signs that your computer may have become infected:

• you constantly get unsolicited windows popping up on your screen, usually web pages that are trying to sell you something;
• your computer is running much more slowly than usual;
• your home page (the page displayed when you load up Internet Explorer) has changed and is now a web site you’ve never visited.

Software that can remove spyware and malware on your computer

Unfortunately, because spyware and malware work in a slightly different way from viruses, anti-virus software isn't much help in finding or removing it. To do this, you need dedicated software.

Some of the programs on the market at present are Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, SpyBot, Ad-Aware and PC Tools Spyware Doctor 3.2.

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware is completely free now, but Microsoft may well start charging for it in the future. AntiSpyware and SpyBot have versions which can be downloaded free of charge over the Internet (see our links page). The free versions will only look for spyware and malware that has already infected your computer, and will not protect it from becoming infected in the first place. To protect your computer from becoming infected, you will need to pay to upgrade to the full version. PC Tools Spyware Doctor 3.2 isn’t free, but has recently won awards.

If you are not keeping personal information such as bank details on your computer, and if you are not easily offended by the occasional pop up that has off- putting material, then scanning your computer with the free software at regular intervals or if you feel you may have become infected, will normally be sufficient, and will also save you the cost of upgrading the free software.

Tips on preventing your computer from becoming infected with spyware and malware

• Be very careful when downloading any freeware or shareware. Only download such software if it’s from a trusted source and you know it has been approved by a reputable organisation such as Aidis.
• Turn off Cookies in your web browser. Cookies can allow web sites to get information about your computer. Some web sites only use Cookies for good purposes. One is to personalise their site, so that when you return to it you are welcomed by name, and previous information that you have supplied, such as payment details, is remembered. Unscrupulous web sites can use this information to bombard you with advertising, or to spy on information held on your machine.
• Don’t use peer-to-peer software. This allows you to scan through other people’s machines, usually to set up a community of computers for sharing files such as music, pictures and videos. Many people use their computer to download music and videos, although this opens you up to receiving spyware and malware.

The above tips do restrict your use of some of the Internet’s most popular features: however, you need to be aware that if you use these services, you are more likely to get spyware and malware.