Spyware: The Dark Side of Advertising on the Internet



I have a pretty high tolerance for advertising, even when I’m surfing Internet. I don’t mind that websites display banner ads, even when they are garish and distracting. I can even cope with the occasional Flash animation that suddenly pops up in the middle of the page I am viewing. I figure that since so much of what I get on the Internet is free, including news, knowledge and entertainment, then I can learn to live with web advertising if it can help my favorite websites pay their bills. But… and this is a big BUT… I put my foot down when it comes to unwanted advertising programs finding a home in my computer in the form of spyware.

There is simply no justification for spyware. An online ad may be distracting, but it is gone when we browse to another page. Spyware, on the other hand, enters your system uninvited and stays there until you find a way to kick it out. While it is there, it may collect all kinds of information on you. Spyware may track what websites you visit and what keywords you type into search engines to get an idea of your lifestyle and interests. It then sends the info it gathers to an advertising firm that may use it without permission to perform undesirable actions such as forcing your web browser to open an advertiser’s webpage, installing a plugin toolbar on your web browser, changing your browser’s home page, spawning pop-up ads on your screen, or sending marketing spam to your inbox.

You can block pop-ups from your computer and filter spam out of your email, but that still fails to target the source. The spyware will remain in your computer, not only taking up space in memory, but using its resources. In time, this can cause your system to slow down and your programs to stop working properly, especially if there are a number of different sypware “bots” on your hard drive.

Having spyware on your computer is like having an advertising pitchman living as an unwanted guest in your house. He takes up space, consumes your electricity and food, and watches everything that you do so he can report it to someone else. In time, he can turn your home into a really unpleasant place to be in.

Don’t let unwanted guests ruin your home computer experience. Take action now by installing anti-spyware software on your computer. Be careful--make certain that you are getting a legitimate product, because ironically, some spyware masquerade as anti-spyware or anti-virus protection. Read reviews of the products by respected websites and actual users. Get a recommendation from a knowledgeable friend on what product to use. And then take steps to turn your computer into a fortress against spyware.

 To Be Continued   Click Here To Read More

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