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Spyware versus Adware;Difference Impacts Your Privacy |
by:
Sharron Senter |
Many people useterms Spyware and Adware interchangeably. You shouldn’t! There are important differences betweentwo. True, both terms refer toact of tracking your computer activity, such as how long you visitedparticular Web site.
However,key difference isintent behind how and whybusiness collects your information. Adware is commonly associated with pop-up advertisements used by businesses trying to sell you something. However, Spyware,more malicious oftwo, isn’t trying to sell you, instead, it’s trying to take something from you -- your credit card and social security numbers and bank account information. Some Spyware collects information about you and, if placed inwrong hands, could be detrimental to your financial wellbeing and used to steal your identity. Adware is usually something you can see. Whereas Spyware often can’t be seen, in fact, businesses behind Spyware don’t want you to know they’re lurking. Therefore, you may haveSpyware infection and not know it. One vicious Spyware is keylogging,tool that hangs about inbackground, logging your keystrokes, including account numbers and passwords you type on your keyboard, and then sendsinformation tooriginating source.
Future of Spyware
Spyware will only become more invasive with no concern for your privacy, regardless of what you want or think. Worse, no one piece of software will protect you fromabove. Why? One belief is that there are far more research dollars being spent on developing Spyware than combating it, sinceinformation derived fromformer is more lucrative.
Protecting Yourself
There are two methods to protect yourself, both are equally important.
one. Manage your computer usage behavior. If you download most anything for free – movies, software, music, etc., then you can anticipate being exposed to highly aggressive forms of Spyware.
two. Utilize anti-spyware software programs andhardware firewall. Both help to fend off Spyware. Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware se and Microsoft’s AntiSpyware (Beta) programs are reputable.
Aboutauthor:
AboutAuthor
Sharron Senter is co-founder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com-on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks’ technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron at http://www.SharronSenter.com
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