PC Service
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David Holderfield 505-2675Daron Holderfield
593-1129 Free Estimates!!
We Specialize in Spyware Removal And Browser HijacksAnti-Virus Software installation and support Home & Small Business Networking Professional Website Developmentand Advertising Support
Call us for all your computer and software needs!! |
SPYWARE
Spyware has surpassed viruses as the number one threat facing your computer
today. In fact, most estimates report that 90 percent of computers already have
been infiltrated by spyware, which is the name given to any program that
installs itself on your hard drive, collects personal information about you and
your computer habits, then sends it to a third party without your knowledge.
Spyware gets into your system in several ways. It can come bundled with
another program. Spyware also can get a foothold on your system through the
advertising used in some free software, such as peer-to-peer programs like
Morpheus and Kazaa. This type of spyware is known as adware.
Another method of entry occurs when you visit certain Web sites that
install spyware cookies on your hard drive. While many cookies are completely
harmless, others function like adware and gather details about the sites you
visit. Programs, called keyloggers, record every site you visit, every e-mail
you send and every chat conversation you carry on.
You may experience any one or more of the following symptoms:
o When you start your computer, or when your
computer has been idle for awhile, your Internet browser opens to display Web
site advertisements.
o When you use Internet Explorer to view Web sites, other browsers open to display Web site
advertisements.
o Your home page unexpectedly changes.
o Web pages are added to your Favorites folder.
o New toolbars are added to your Web browser.
o You can’t start a program.
o When you click a link in a program, the link
doesn’t work.
o Your browser suddenly closes or stops
responding.
o It takes longer to start or to resume your
computer.
o Components of Windows or other programs no
longer work.
Browser settings of web surfers are being hijacked by malicious web sites and software which modifies default start and search pages. Sometimes internet shortcuts will be added to the favorites folder. The purpose of this is force you to visit a web site of the hijacker's choice so that they can artificially inflate their web site's traffic for higher advertising revenues.
Some of these changes are reversible by going into Internet Options and switching them back. Sometimes it's necessary to edit the windows registry. Sometimes there is even a combination of registry setting and files clandestinely placed on your hard drive that redo your settings every time you reboot the computer. No matter how often you change your settings back, they are changed again the next time you restart. There have even been cases where internet options have been removed from the tools menu by registry hacking to prevent you from controlling your own computer!
Call Us! We Can Help… And don’t forget : ESTIMATES ARE FREE!!!