Anti Spyware: The Key Facts

Spyware is relatively new to the classification of malicious code since it has traditionally been considered harmless. Spyware was thought to be a legal method of packaging software and vendors have been concerned with the legal aspects of preventing spyware from running. Since the dangers of spyware to exploit your computer system have been recognized, many vendors have moved forward with the production of anti spyware solutions. These solutions are available with various degrees of accuracy in detecting and eliminating spyware. Variations exist in the time necessary to complete a computer system scan and the number and types of malicious code that may be detected. In the same manner that new spyware is evolving, vendors are also developing new methods and spyware definitions to combat spyware. Some anti spyware software, particularly free software and downloads, are only capable of detecting spyware. They are not able to delete spyware programs or to correct the effects of spyware, such as modifications to your operating system or web browser. To protect your computer system from spyware you need to install the newest anti spyware software. Older anti virus software does not provide protection against spyware. Spyware does not necessarily propagate as typical viruses do. However, spyware will degrade the performance of your system and provide methods for others to infect your system with viruses. The newest antivirus programs offer some type of protection against spyware and most web browsers, firewalls and ISPs provide free anti spyware software. Though anti spyware software is advertised as part of many security suites, it is your responsibility to ensure that any chosen anti virus software actually includes an anti spyware solution.

The installation of most anti spyware software is similar to the installation of antivirus software. Anti spyware software is not as efficient at detecting spyware as some antivirus software are at detecting viruses, but neither type of software is completely foolproof. Like anti virus software, anti spyware software may be configured to run regularly and to automatically update to provide real time detection and protection. You may also be able to configure the software to meet your individual needs. If you are not familiar with your chosen anti spyware software you are encouraged to use its default settings and modify those settings as you become more familiar with the software. Full anti spyware scans should be scheduled on at least a weekly basis as well as on system boots.

Anti spyware software may alert you to spyware that you may want to keep resident on your computer. There are some applications, such as games and other file sharing applications, that perform spyware activities and will fail to function if the spyware is removed. When installing such applications, they may generate spyware detection alerts. If such an alert occurs during a software installation, you must determine the risk potential of having spyware resident on your system versus the need to install the application before continuing with the installation. If you install an application and then remove the embedded spyware, an anti spyware solution is likely to let you restore the application if it no longer functions. You must research the application and determine if the risk potential outweighs the benefit of keeping the application resident. Spyware-Guide.com, Pestpatrol.com and other vendor websites provide information on the extent of compromise posed by known spyware.

Some spyware has been shown to be robust and sometimes multiple scans are necessitated to detect and remove malicious code. Installing multiple anti spyware software will assist in providing the best spyware protection. Free anti spyware software may be downloaded from some websites. Some trusted websites provide anti spyware software that is as effective as commercial solutions though the free software may not provide as many options and configurations or the speed of scans. Unlike with antivirus software, the installation of multiple anti spyware software has not been shown to degrade performance of computer systems or cause internal conflicts.

If spyware is already resident on your computer system and anti spyware software don't seem effective in ridding your system of the nuances associated with the particular spyware, you may need to manually remove malicious code from your computer. Some spyware is known to be particularly difficult to get rid off and requires specialized tools for removal. A search of websites may produce a listing of sites that provide instruction for ridding your computer system of these particular types of spyware.
by Anthony P Mullen
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