Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent.
 
Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information.
 
That does not mean all software which provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads.
 
If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair tradeoff. You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.
 
Other kinds of spyware make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer to slow down or crash.
 
These programs can change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them.
 
The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.
 
There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program.
 
Whenever you are installing something on your computer, make sure you carefully read all disclosures, including the license agreement and privacy statement. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.
 
There are also spyware removal programs that can help catch and eliminate most, but not necessarily all, spyware from your computer.  Some spyware is tricky to remove and can even re-spawn itself after it has been removed by these programs.  If this happens you will need to take your computer to COMPRO to have one of our technicians remove all occurrences of the spyware and keep it from re-spawning.  Two programs that can help you are Lavasoft's Ad-Adware and Microsoft's Windows Defender.
 
 Lavasoft Ad-Aware
 -http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition
 
 Microsoft Windows Defender
 -http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
  
Make sure to run these programs twice in a row to see if you might have spyware that is re-spawning itself.  Otherwise, if you would like to bring your system into COMPRO to have one of our certified technicians diagnose and repair your computer for you, please give us a call at 252-338-5379.