When you think it is very easy to get the file you want from internet, you may also want to think that there are some people who feel very happy as they can easily hijack your computer, stealing your important data like your password, credit card information and a lot of other cool stuff in your system. They are very happy people indeed as when they got what they want, they will come back to you again to just to make sure wether there are something that worth to take away. While they are enjoying their day, you'll probably get depressed wondering who steal your money from your bank account. If you could not relate anything to the things I have written so far, probably you don't have any idea on what spyware is all about.
Spyware is software that is installed in your computer system without you aware of it and when it's alive in your system, it will monitor your computer activity so much like a "hidden cam". Again, without you being conscious of this malicious activity, the spyware will send the collected information to its master, a people like you. The information will probably be your atm pin number, credit card information, and other important things. So, where do the spyware come? How do they get installed in your system? When did it happen?
To prevent the installation of spyware, you need anti-spyware program. Plus, you need to turn on the computer's firewall and make sure you have your anti-virus installed in your system. Spyware can be installed remotely. Do not let them penetrate your system by ensuring that your computer is highly protected (turn on the firewall, install anti-spyware and anti-virus). Note that even all the necessary procedures has been implemented to ensure your computer is protected, you are still exposed to the danger of installing them. How this thing could happen? You need to be smart as the criminals mind can be smarter than you think. It means that, they will try to their level best to make sure the spyware they have created is installed in your system. But how could they do that? By creating a nice software that doing a nice job with nice looking interface and let you download the software for free, they will get the upper hand. The software may be named as "Registry X-cleaner", "Boost Your PC" or any other name that really tempt you to download. To tell you the truth, when you think that you are downloading one single software, you are actually downloading two software! What is the extra software? Maybe now you can guess it right. The other software that you download is the spyware. In other words, the spyware is bundled with the software that you download. When you install the software, the spyware will be installed at the same time. In fact, there is spyware that reside in the free anti-spyware program. Note that many free anti-spyware is dangerous. My advice is to check their company status, who create the software and read the product review. Website like Download.com, Cnet.com and Amazon.com are good website to find a product review.
Well, there is a lot more to learn to protect your computer from the spyware. I consider my explanation above is just a basic knowledge one must have to guard against the spyware. In fact, besides spyware, there are so much things to concern like adware, malware, worm and of course the virus that have been spread like crazy in the internet. My advice is prepare yourself. Do not stop to learn and never forget to take the right action.
