Spyware Blockers

Making sure that your computer is free from spyware is easy: just download an anti-spyware program, right? When it comes to spyware removers, most programs are the same, aren’t they? So what difference does it make which anti-spyware program you have?

Spyware Removers Can Miss The Nastiest Malware

There are major differences in spyware removers, and not all anti-spyware programs are the same. In fact, many of the major names in spyware removal can miss – yes, miss – some of the latest, nastiest spyware, malware and adware making the rounds today. If you’re going to rely on a single adware, spyware and malware remover, make sure your choice is XoftSpy SE from SpywareBlockers.org.

Ideally, you rely on multiple protections to prevent malware infections, and clean up those that do get through. XoftSpy SE installs neatly next to your existing anti-spyware protection and works seamlessly to detect and remove adware, Trojans, pop-up generators, keyloggers, worms, rootkits, viruses and more. Better yet, XoftSpy SE finds and removes the malware that other detectors miss.

XoftSpy SE Finds What Others Miss

Using an extremely comprehensive database of nearly a quarter of a million known malware applications, variants and vulnerabilities. XoftSpy SE digs deep into your system to remove the worst of the worst, and prevents you from getting infected again.

One of the nasty tricks that many viruses and spyware programs pull is modifying your computer’s registry. If your malware detection software doesn’t also clean up your computer’s registry, your computer will be impaired, even after the malware itself is gone. Many malware programs also use the registry as a way to re-infect the computer, even after the original malware is gone.

Don’t think that your computer won’t get infected because you don’t visit pornography sites or click on banner ads. There are so many routes to malware infection that you can’t possibly avoid it. Malware programmers are clever. They’re not hobbyists. They’re paid to do what they do. And what they do, they do very well. Unfortunately for you, what they do isn’t helpful. It’s dangerous.

Keyloggers can record your account information and passwords. Malware can forward this information to third parties, who then use your information to gain access to your credit cards, bank accounts and investments. Trojans continue to be one of the top sources of malware infections. People can’t resist free software. Download free software and you risk a serious malware infection.

Not all free software is bad. Reputable companies give away free copies of their software all the time. Malware authors modify these software programs from reputable companies and contaminate them their malware. XoftSpy SE can tell the difference between legitimate software and corrupted copies of legitimate software. Can you?

Photo Credit: AK37

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Even though adware, spyware and malware are all well known risks of computer usage, millions of these infections take place each year. There are literally thousands of variations of known spyware, adware and malware programs, and completely unique programs crop up each year. These applications can keep XoftSpy SE busy!

How Do Computers Get Infected With Adware, Spyware and Malware?

Despite the fact that this kind of malware is known, computers are still getting infected, often by tried-and-true techniques that computer users don’t recognize for what they are. Adware, spyware and malware sometimes act like viruses and can have similar effects on an infected computer, but technically, they’re not viruses. These programs do not self-replicate like a virus does. Instead, each affected computer is voluntarily infected by a user, often who is unaware of what they’re actually loading onto the computer.

Adware, spyware and malware may be loaded onto your computer by clicking on links that are embedded in viral email, or that accompany seemingly legitimate programs, free applications or utilities that purport to serve one function, and actually perform other actions surreptitiously.

What Do These Applications Do?

Most often, these applications display advertising that may or may not be related to your browsing. This advertising may include ads and images that you or other users may find offensive and embarrassing.

Additionally, these programs can track your browsing habits, display context-sensitive advertising, hijack a browser session and send you to sites you don’t want to visit. These programs may load other programs onto your computer, track your keystrokes, capture passwords, login IDs and other sensitive information, like credit card numbers and bank information. They also relay this information to a third party, most often to facilitate identity theft.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

By having adequate spyware protection like XoftSpy SE, you can prevent or mitigate most spyware, adware and malware infections. In addition, you can limit the likelihood that these programs will affect you if you follow a few simple rules.

Don’t download any application you don’t understand.

Read the license agreement fully before you accept an application on your computer. If the license agreement says anything about third party advertising or applications, don’t download it.

Be cautious of sites that tell you that you need to download a special viewer or client application to use the site.

Don’t ignore symptoms of a spyware or adware infection. If you start receiving popup ads, or your computer takes you to Web sites you didn’t specifically request, scan your computer for malware and clean it off immediately.

Don’t store unencrypted account information on your computer, and understand exactly who you’re giving your credit card information to. Some users choose to keep a “dirty” credit card with a relatively low spending limit that they use exclusively for Internet purchases. If the card gets stolen by malware or an unscrupulous site, it can be cancelled immediately and the rest of your personal information is still intact.

Update your adware and virus protection regularly. With XoftSpy SE, you can update your software automatically. You don’t have to worry about missing an update, or being left vulnerable by the constant stream of new malware.If you don’t have adequate adware protection, you’re leaving yourself open to some very unpleasant online experiences. Don’t wait. Download your copy of XoftSpy SE today!Photo Credit: Michael Sauers

2008 saw the end of a long saga for one classroom teacher in Connecticut which underscores the importance of having adequate adware protection on computers. Julie Amero pleaded guilty in November 2008 to a single misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct and surrendered her teaching credentials. Along with the guilty plea, Amero was ordered to pay a $100 fine.

Less than two years earlier, Amero had been found guilty of four felony pornography counts and faced a possible sentence of up to 40 years in prison for allegedly allowing students in her Connecticut classroom to view pornographic images on her computer while she used the Internet. Amero had testified that the images simply “appeared” on her computer and she did not know what to do. The incident took place in 2004.

After reading of her conviction, Alex Eckelberry, a computer security expert, offered to perform a forensic analysis of the computer in question. Eckelberry’s 2007 report, which has not yet been made public, caused the judge to set aside Amero’s conviction and order a new trial.

Among Eckelberry’s findings were that the school did not have a valid anti-virus software license, and that adware disguised as a Halloween-themed screen saver was loaded onto the computer about a week prior to the incident. The report cited additional evidence of an adware/malware infection, based on settings on the computer which had been changed.

Ultimately, the report concluded, the teacher was not responsible for the adware infection and could not have known that the computer was infected. Mrs. Amero chose to settle the case with a guilty plea in order to spare herself the trauma of a second trial.

Could This Have Been Avoided?

In a simple word, yes. Amero’s case illustrates the pressing need for adware protection on personal computers. In the workplace, employers can be held liable for creating a hostile environment when pornographic images appear on employees’ computers. In the classroom or even at home, children can be exposed to adult material indiscriminately.

Beyond simple offense, adware, spyware and similar malware can create security and privacy issues for users. Identifying information, like account numbers, user names and passwords can be captured and exposed to third parties. These programs can also cause severe performance degradations that can bring an otherwise productive employee to a virtual standstill.

Effective Adware Protection Is Available

You don’t have to put up with a semi-functional computer that displays annoying or offensive advertising. You don’t have to worry about the security of your personal and financial information.

Instead, you can rely on the protection that XoftSpy SE offers. XoftSpy SE detects adware, malware, spyware and Trojan software by matching suspicious programs to its database of more than 40,000 known malware products. New signatures are added constantly, meaning that you receive up-to-date protection from even the latest, most dangerous and most offensive malware on the market today.

Don’t risk your personal and financial safety, and don’t expose your employees or co-workers, family members or friends to offensive and dangerous materials. Stop malware infections before they start by loading XoftSpy SE onto your computer today!

Photo Credit: Steve Woods

Spyware has firmly established itself as one of today’s most serious PC threats.  Spyware is software that isn’t readily understood by the user. It may load itself on to a computer without the user’s knowledge, or it may masquerade as a program or utility with a seemingly useful function.
 

What Makes Spyware So Dangerous?

Spyware was initially crafted to load pop-up advertisements onto a computer, but it has quickly been adapted to perform a number of other nefarious functions, including monitoring the user’s online behavior, redirecting Web browsers to certain locations, installing additional malware onto the host computer, manipulating pay-per-click advertising revenue, changing configuration information on the host computer, capturing personal information like account names and passwords, credit card numbers, browsing habits and more. Spyware that is designed to capture personal information is also used to transmit that information to a third party. Information gleaned about a user’s browsing behavior often controls the type of pop-up advertisements that appear on the user’s computer. 

Spyware differs from computer viruses in a few significant ways. Unlike a virus, spyware doesn’t usually “self-replicate.” Your infected computer will not attempt to pass on spyware to other computers, or attach itself to outgoing email messages. Instead, spyware may be disguised as a helpful utility application, may invisibly accompany another application, may pose as shareware or a security application, or may load itself without any fanfare at all.

Symptoms Of Spyware Infection

The most common symptoms of a spyware infection include:

• increased pop-up advertising, including pornographic and other offensive ads
• increasingly slow computer performance
• increased hard disk activity
• increased Internet activity not requested or controlled by the user
• application and system crashes

Normally, a computer does not suffer from a single spyware infection. Once infected by spyware, the computer tends to accumulate additional spyware, viruses and malware until the computer’s function is seriously compromised.

Despite the fact that spyware has been around for more than ten years, it remains one of the major threats to security for PCs running the Windows operating system. Macintosh computers are also affected by spyware as well, but due to the way certain applications like Web browsers are integrated into the operating system on Windows PCs, spyware poses a much more serious concern.
 

What Should You Do About Spyware?

If you don’t already have a spyware blocker loaded on your computer, load one immediately! XoftSpy SE offers all of the features you want in a spyware blocker and can identify more than 40,000 different spyware programs.  In addition to blocking spyware, XoftSpy SE also blocks adware, Trojans and other malware that could be waiting to infect your computer. 

XoftSpy SE will protect your personal information and protect passwords and other sensitive data. Your computer’s performance will improve, and once you install XoftSpy SE, you can schedule regular checkups to make sure your computer remains free of potentially dangerous spyware for good!

Photo Credit: Ines Teijeiro

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