Scareware not Spyware

Yes, there's a different class in the spyware stakes; it is called 'scareware'. This is just my own phrase, but it describes absolutely what I have experienced lately. Scareware refers to spyware that tries to panic you into doing or buying something.

Let's start off at the beginning. What is Spyware? Spyware is any software that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. It's objective is not as distructive as that of a virus. But it causes you lots of headaches for sure. Spyware basically has two purposes. One is to record your browsing habits and keystrokes and the other is to inundate you with adverts. Generally the information obtained by the first is what is sold to advertsing companies, as leads. The adverts you get may well be related to your browsing habits. This is how they know; by recording your keystrokes.

Several spyware will even record your bank details and credit card information, this is particularly hazardous. Nevertheless, this is not typical, most spyware are merely out to run ads or sell you something. If your computer unexpectedly starts to run slowly or you have adverts popping up or even if your homepage changes by itself then you most likely have spyware on your computer.

But I have seen a new sort of Spyware recently, one which can be called Scareware. Scareware installs itself on your computer the same as any other spyware. But then it proceeds to try and persuade you that you have been infected by some critical virus or program. You will be given messages that seem like genuine windows error messages, telling you that your computer is contaminated.

It will then instruct you to click on the button to fix the crisis. This will inevitably lead you to a page that sells you a fix in the form of another program. DO NOT click that button! Once you've done it, you can't get rid of it. You have to run some top spyware blockers in order to get rid of this nasty. After you have got rid of it you will notice that there is nothing else improper with your computer.

The whole process can be distressing and devour lots of time to fix. The good thing is that a decent spyware blocker will get rid of it.

On the point of Spyware Blockers; be thorough when purchasing one of these. There are some ok FREE spyware blockers but the majority are in fact spyware themselves. Or they will endeavor to get you to upgrade to a paid version anyway. They do this by showing results from scans of your computer that aren't entirely correct.

If you run a dependable Spyware Blocker against one of these free ones you will find that what the free one says is on your computer is not actually true. They are also trying to frighten you into buying an upgrade. We're tried this and found many free spyware blockers are just making up threats on your computer. It's called false negatives.

So, the best way is to just obtain a respectable and dependable spyware blocker. Do some research and see what people are buying. A paid for Spyware Blocker will have good support and you know that it will update almost every day for fixes for new threats. They have the resources to do this, because millions of people shell out for their product.

You get what you pay for. Some people may well disagree with me regards Spyware Blockers but is it worth the risk? Consider how much you've paid for your system and then the fee for the best spyware blocker is really unimportant.