How does spyware get onto my computer?
Spyware is a type of malicious software that is installed on a computer without the user’s knowledge. Once installed, spyware can collect personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and web browsing habits. It can also change the settings on the computer, such as the homepage and security settings.
Spyware is often bundled with other free software that can be downloaded from the Internet. For example, a user might download a free screensaver, but the screensaver also installs spyware on the computer. Once installed, the spyware can be difficult to remove.
There are a few ways that spyware can get onto your computer:
1. Downloading free software from the Internet: As mentioned above, spyware is often bundled with free software. When you download and install the free software, the spyware is also installed.
2. Clicking on malicious links: Spyware can be installed on your computer simply by clicking on a link. This is often done by tricking the user into clicking on a link that appears to be harmless, but actually downloads and installs spyware onto the computer.
3. Visiting malicious websites: Some websites are designed specifically to install spyware onto visitors’ computers. When you visit these websites, the spyware is downloaded and installed automatically.
4. Opening email attachments: Spyware can also be spread through email attachments. If you open an attachment from a sender that you don’t know or trust, you could be installing spyware onto your computer.
5. Installing pirated software: Spyware is often included in pirated or counterfeit software. When you install pirated software, you could also be installing spyware onto your computer.
Spyware can be difficult to remove once it is installed on your computer. If you think that you might have spyware on your computer, you can use a spyware removal program to scan your computer and remove the spyware.
What is phishing and how can you protect yourself from it?
Phishing is a type of online fraud in which criminals pose as a legitimate company or organization in an attempt to trick you into providing personal information, such as your credit card number or account login details. They may do this by sending you an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate company, or by creating a fake website that looks like a legitimate website.
To protect yourself from phishing, you should never click on links or open attachments in emails from unknown senders. If you’re unsure whether an email is legitimate, you can contact the company directly to confirm. You should also be careful when entering personal information into websites. Make sure the website is encrypted (look for https:// in the address bar) and that you trust the website before entering any sensitive information.
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about spyware example. Click here to learn more.