Really -- How Harmful Is Spyware?

Question

I know if you download free anything(including spyware removal) there will be spyware attached to it. I don't store anything in my computer, I use it to look up things and send "fun" emails. If they want to track my browsing to place ads, fine. I ignore the ads anyway. Should I download a second browser for serious things like medical information? I'm thinking of doing some online shopping, should I download a browser just for that?

Answer 1

Spyware is a threat in general, but not to directly stop your computer.



It will give itself priorities and demand support, so if you simply ignore it you won't be getting the full value of your computer.



Spyware could be tracking your keystrokes looking for keywords. Usually spyware hides in your cookies.



As a bare minimum if you don't use anti-spyware, you should delete all browser histories and form data (everything you can get rid of in your browser's stored data) before you start a serious data session. Most of the bad guys hide as bad cookies in your good cookies.



I've found that just telling my browser to delete all the stored stuff at the end of a session is a great way to slow down spyware. I've only caught one since I did that in hundreds of sessions.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

"I know if you download free anything(including spyware removal) there will be spyware attached to it"

Not true. Lots of free programs are spyware free. They are simply made by groups of people who think that good software doesn't have to cost money. Awesome applications like one of my favorites pidgin (the IM client) doesn't have any spyware where as AIM does (Wild tangent ad delivery).

Spyware's biggest threat is that is slows down your computer and makes it annoying to use. I have had no issues with spybot search and destroy (free). Just don't enable teatimer because it is annoying.



I use different browsers for different things. All my banking is done with firefox, all my webisode and online tv shows are with opera (i think it handles it better) and my girlfriend is only allowed to use Internet Explorer. I also use google crome for my work emails just because I like staying logged into my professional email at all times as well as my personal one. This isn't for security. Just my convenience.

Answer 4

If the software includes Spyware, don't use the software. There's plenty of good software that does not include it, and truthfully, the software that does include it is just plain awful.



Anyway, if you need software to remove it, Spybot Search and Destroy should be fine, however this likely means that the software that you use that includes the spyware will no longer function.

Answer 5

Depending on the exact issue at hand, a thorough Google search may be be your best bet at resolving for yourself whatever is causing dysfunction. Nonetheless, as a computer technician who runs his own business troubleshooting, repairing, rebuilding, and optimizing computers... I can probably guide you in the right direction. However, without having your PC directly at my fingertips, I can only make general suggestions. In this case, I would surely check out the highly esteemed world-class Reimage software from https://reimagefix.im ..



When people come into our shop and drop off their PC for repair, the first thing we do is run an initial diagnostic. For this function, I use Reimage exclusively. In many cases, I am able to diagnose very quickly what is making their computer run slow, or is giving them the crashes/freezes/errors/grief that brought them to me in the first place. After the diagnostic, in a majority of cases, Reimage is able to remedy All problems and replace any corrupted Windows files. I then proceed to charge a handsome fee for my services that took me all but 30-60 minutes to complete. Obviously sometimes I must work more, but often this is all it takes. It is a very powerful tool that would likely put me and others in my industry out of business if more people knew of it. So don't tell anyone lol, and Good Luck with your PC.

Answer 6

well spyware is a very dangerous thing it dosent do any harm to a pc but a hacker watches you type in passwords and can steal personal information bank's,credit cards,etc so watch out there is no case of viruses everyday





happy surfing

XigbarII

Answer 7

ignore the ads but when a spyware gets on your pc the person who is controlling it can see everything ur typing etc and can take control of ur pc so yea its pretty bad



so for example if u type ur credit card details into ur pc they can get money out ur account etc

Answer 8

I don't know what to say

Answer 9

It is actually interesting

Answer 10

so amazed that I found this topic already answered! it is like you read my thoughts!

Answer 11

See -- https://reimagefix.im

Answer 12

you will be fine with what you have.





~T~