We explain what spyware is and how to protect yourself from this malware. Also, how to remove it and how anti-spyware works.
What is spyware?
It is known in computing as spyware or spyware to a type of malicious software (malware) that operates in a computer system invisibly, collecting technical, personal or confidential information and sending it over the Internet to third parties, without the authorization of the user of the computer.
This type of malware installs itself on the computer disguised as other products or even silently while the user browses certain websites, and starts when you start the operating system, often absorbing a significant percentage of system resources (CPU, RAM or Bandwidth).
Spyware therefore not only represents a risk for the Privacy of the user, but also for the stability of the system and for its connectivity capacity in Internet. However, unlike computer viruses, spyware does not produce copies of itself or attempt to send them to other users by taking over the email or of the peripheral devices from the computer.
Together with thetrojans, hijacks, rootkits, pop-ups, backdoors and other types of harmful programs, constitutes the so-calledMalware, software designed more or less anonymously for illegal purposes: stealing personal information, bombarding with advertising unsolicited, hijack private accounts or breach computer security systems.
How to protect ourselves from spyware?
Preventive measures against spyware aim at the following:
- Install an antivirus. Most of the services antivirus programs, private or free, also offer a margin of protection against malware in its various forms, either as a real-time defense (immediate block to pages or files), periodic reviews, orfirewall.
- Avoid unsafe pages. It is known that the largest source of malware infections comes from pages that offer free, pornographic content or unexpected rewards, seeking to attract the attention of the unsuspecting to enter the portal or click on an ad and get infected. If it's too good to be true, ignore it.
- Do not install unknown software. If you ignore the manufacturer of a software or an application that suddenly wants to be installed on your computer, it will always be preferable not to run or install it, and not take risks. Especially if you do not have a good antivirus or antimalware.
- Install a pop-up blocker. It is known aspop-ups to unsolicited pop-ups that can often appear during our Internet browsing, especially on unsafe or high-traffic pages. Some of these windows capture the Username and force you to download files, or trick you into agreeing to install them online. To do this, better install a pop-up blocker on the browser that we use.
How to remove spyware?
To remove spyware, it is best to do regular checks with your antivirus.
Spyware is often difficult to eradicate: remember that they are programs designed to cling to the system or to go unnoticed. The best thing to do in this case is to carry out periodic reviews with our antivirus or antimalware software (or both), many of which allow these inspections to be scheduled to take place outside of normal business hours.
Anti-spyware programs
There are many programs to combat or remove spyware. Most consist of review and removal tools, but they also often include other useful options, such as real-time review (as you browse) or selective blocking of potentially harmful pages, etc. Some of the most popular are:
- Windows Defender. This program is pre-installed in contemporary versions of Windows and it maintains a protection shield for the system, updating itself from time to time to keep up with threats.
- HiJack This. A simple and effective program to check the computerized system for backdoors and other forms of dangerous malware. In addition, it generates a very complete report of your tasks, which makes it extremely practical.
- Malwarebiytes Anti-Malware. To combat any type of malware, this program is one of the best known, since it operates independently of the antivirus, doubling the protection, and has a great capacity to detect harmful software.
- SpyBot Search & Destroy. A true classic of the industry, which in addition to periodic scans allows the computer to be "vaccinated" to immunize it against certain types of malware.
- Ad-Aware Free. A free license version to protect yourself from spyware that also includes antivirus software and a fairly complete, enjoyable and fast interface.