Identity theft has cost companies and victims hundreds of thousands of dollars. For major companies the cost could be in the millions. One way that identities can be stolen is through the use of spyware.
Spyware are programs that can come bundled with other programs but operate on your computer out of view. The user has no idea that the spyware was downloaded with their program. In many cases, even if the naughty program is uninstalled, the spyware can remain.
Spyware programs corrupt data and damage the operating of your computer system. Computer applications begin to run slower or not at all. When you get online, you may find that the spyware program has hijacked your browser. This means that no matter where you try to go on the Internet, you are redirected to a certain site and nowhere else.
The purpose of spyware programs is up for debate. Some sites want to record data on the people that use their program. Their intention may be for statistical purposes but they have gone about it the wrong way. If their users knew, they may not agree to this intrusion even for the best of intentions. Hence, they resort to spyware.
Some spyware programs can steal your personal information by mimicking security pages and asking you to pay for and download fraudulent anti-spyware programs. When your computer is opened up to a spyware program, your information can be transmitted to a third party who can steal your identity. Keylogging is a technique used by spyware programs to track every keystroke you make to see where you go, and to gather any personal and financial information.
Identity thieves have gone hi-tech and they are using your innocent web surfing against you. Spyware can be disguised as toolbars, anti-spyware or add-ins for other programs. When we click on the program, we don’t notice that other items are also listed to be downloaded as well. Just because those programs are listed doesn’t mean they are needed for your application to run.
Some sites like Kazaa are bundled with adware. Adware in and of itself is not necessarily bad. It is a way for companies to offer their program downloads for free by selling ads. But, some of those ads could hide or be connected with sites that harbor spyware.
Carefully read everything about downloads you are about to introduce onto your computer. Use a high security pop-up blocker so that any site that involves a download will first ask you and will mention that the site wants to download other controls. Install known and reviewed anti-spyware on your computer. Any rogue program will then be flagged, and so will dangerous websites.
Identity theft is a serious problem and no one wants to be a victim. Be careful what you download or what sites you visit on the Internet so you don’t leave yourself open to spyware and subsequent identity theft.
Hotel Traffic Builders
www.HotelTrafficBuilders.com
Hotel & Resort Internet Marketing & Website Development by Hotel Traffic Builders
This entry was posted
on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
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You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Spyware and Identity Theft
Identity theft has cost companies and victims hundreds of thousands of dollars. For major companies the cost could be in the millions. One way that identities can be stolen is through the use of spyware.
Spyware are programs that can come bundled with other programs but operate on your computer out of view. The user has no idea that the spyware was downloaded with their program. In many cases, even if the naughty program is uninstalled, the spyware can remain.
Spyware programs corrupt data and damage the operating of your computer system. Computer applications begin to run slower or not at all. When you get online, you may find that the spyware program has hijacked your browser. This means that no matter where you try to go on the Internet, you are redirected to a certain site and nowhere else.
The purpose of spyware programs is up for debate. Some sites want to record data on the people that use their program. Their intention may be for statistical purposes but they have gone about it the wrong way. If their users knew, they may not agree to this intrusion even for the best of intentions. Hence, they resort to spyware.
Some spyware programs can steal your personal information by mimicking security pages and asking you to pay for and download fraudulent anti-spyware programs. When your computer is opened up to a spyware program, your information can be transmitted to a third party who can steal your identity. Keylogging is a technique used by spyware programs to track every keystroke you make to see where you go, and to gather any personal and financial information.
Identity thieves have gone hi-tech and they are using your innocent web surfing against you. Spyware can be disguised as toolbars, anti-spyware or add-ins for other programs. When we click on the program, we don’t notice that other items are also listed to be downloaded as well. Just because those programs are listed doesn’t mean they are needed for your application to run.
Some sites like Kazaa are bundled with adware. Adware in and of itself is not necessarily bad. It is a way for companies to offer their program downloads for free by selling ads. But, some of those ads could hide or be connected with sites that harbor spyware.
Carefully read everything about downloads you are about to introduce onto your computer. Use a high security pop-up blocker so that any site that involves a download will first ask you and will mention that the site wants to download other controls. Install known and reviewed anti-spyware on your computer. Any rogue program will then be flagged, and so will dangerous websites.
Identity theft is a serious problem and no one wants to be a victim. Be careful what you download or what sites you visit on the Internet so you don’t leave yourself open to spyware and subsequent identity theft.
Hotel Traffic Builders
www.HotelTrafficBuilders.com
Hotel & Resort Internet Marketing & Website Development by Hotel Traffic Builders
This entry was posted on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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