II. Spyware Terms and Effects |
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Top 5 security reprocussions if you do not remove Spyware immediately:
- Identity Theft
- Hardrive Infection
- Access to your usernames and passwords
- Open access to your personal information, which include email, instant messanger, or stored contacts
- Complete log of your browsing habits
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Identity Theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. Through spyware ID thieves can capture enough personal information to forge your identity. They can then use your identity to apply for credit cards and essentially ruin your credit. For more on Identity Theft click here for a free resource guide.
Keyloggers keep record of the user’s keystrokes. This could in effect give someone access to anything site you login to from that PC. Keyloggers can also spy on your instant messenger, sending a detailed record of all your conversations. Your email addresses and contact information could potentially be at risk if a keylogger is installed on the PC. The frightening part is all this could be happening without you even knowing, because there are no obvious signs a keylogger is running unless you perform a system scan.
Tracking cookies can be used to gather information on the user’s operating system, network information, and browsing habits.
Adware is software that is downloaded to your PC usually without your knowledge. It is usually very difficult to remove as newer versions disguise and back themselves up to protect from removal.
Trojans are programs that pretend to be something desirable yet when activated they can be deadly. For example, you download a free computer game. Once installed it may act and play like a game, but behind the scenes it is gathering information and can allow a hacker to take over your PC.
Hijackers are programs that take over another program. For instance, a hijacker could be secretly installed on your machine and it could take over your browser dictating which sites you visit.
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