Most people online today are totally unaware of the dangers associated with the internet.
What is Adware?
Adware is the basic basic of computer infections and is considered harmless by many. However it has been designed to display advertisements to the computer user when opening a web browser or generally just being connected to the internet. The purpose of this is to generate an income for the creator. This advertising supported software is usually installed onto a person computer by way of free downloads, whether that is a free game or even by visiting an infected website.
When downloading any free applications online take the time to read the small print as this is where you are giving permission for Adware to be installed.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is much more dangerous in nature and has many other consequences if left untreated on a computer. This is an application that has been created to operate in the background usually without the users knowledge or consent. Spyware is used to track you and your movements online, then it will start to serve ads that are related to what you are doing on the internet in the hope that you will purchase something from those ads.
Spyware becomes dangerous when it starts to look more like Malware, then it is actually collecting personal data and storing it away for later use. Malware is another form of infection and as the name implies it is a malicious software application. It has been reported that this type of infection can actually disrupt computer usage, gather personal information. Malware comes in many forms and has been given different names such as Trojans, Rootkits.
How To Avoid These Types Of Infections
This is one of the hardest things to do online with so many sites having some form of infection such as cookies or a hacked site that has a more malicious file embedded into its source code. Then you need to consider your children's usage and what they are downloading online.
The most effective way to avoid most of these threats online is to have and good security suite installed such as Bullguard, Trend Micro or even AVG. These security programs will actually warn and prevent the infections from getting onto your computer, once they are setup and running. However, in saying that you need to make sure that you keep your security software up to date and your subscription active or it will only be a matter of time before an effective invades your computer.
Prevention is much better than the cure and by being proactive about these online threats you can actually eliminate many of the dangers of Adware and Spyware.
What is Adware?
Adware is the basic basic of computer infections and is considered harmless by many. However it has been designed to display advertisements to the computer user when opening a web browser or generally just being connected to the internet. The purpose of this is to generate an income for the creator. This advertising supported software is usually installed onto a person computer by way of free downloads, whether that is a free game or even by visiting an infected website.
When downloading any free applications online take the time to read the small print as this is where you are giving permission for Adware to be installed.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is much more dangerous in nature and has many other consequences if left untreated on a computer. This is an application that has been created to operate in the background usually without the users knowledge or consent. Spyware is used to track you and your movements online, then it will start to serve ads that are related to what you are doing on the internet in the hope that you will purchase something from those ads.
Spyware becomes dangerous when it starts to look more like Malware, then it is actually collecting personal data and storing it away for later use. Malware is another form of infection and as the name implies it is a malicious software application. It has been reported that this type of infection can actually disrupt computer usage, gather personal information. Malware comes in many forms and has been given different names such as Trojans, Rootkits.
How To Avoid These Types Of Infections
This is one of the hardest things to do online with so many sites having some form of infection such as cookies or a hacked site that has a more malicious file embedded into its source code. Then you need to consider your children's usage and what they are downloading online.
The most effective way to avoid most of these threats online is to have and good security suite installed such as Bullguard, Trend Micro or even AVG. These security programs will actually warn and prevent the infections from getting onto your computer, once they are setup and running. However, in saying that you need to make sure that you keep your security software up to date and your subscription active or it will only be a matter of time before an effective invades your computer.
Prevention is much better than the cure and by being proactive about these online threats you can actually eliminate many of the dangers of Adware and Spyware.
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