Spyware
making your
Computer Run Slow??
We can get rid of it for you!
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Unwanted Spyware!
Spyware is a general term used for small
snippets of code that perform certain behaviors
such as advertising, collecting personal
information, or changing the configuration of
your computer, without your approval or consent.
You may have spyware or other unwanted software
on your computer if:
• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're
not on the Web.
• Your home page changed without your
knowledge.
• You notice a new toolbar in your browser that
you didn't want, and you can't get rid of.
• Your computer is running SLOW.
• You experience a sudden rise in crashes.
Intro to Spyware
There are a lot of differing opinions on what
the definitions of Parasiteware Spyware, Adware
and Malware should be.
In order to help you understand what spyware is,
here are a few brief definitions.
Parasite Ware
ParasiteWare is the term for any Adware that by
default overwrites certain affiliate tracking
links. These tracking links are used by
webmasters to sell products and to help fund
websites. The controversy is centered on
companies like WhenU, eBates, and Top Moxie, a
popular maker of Adware applications. These
companies have release their software to assist
users in getting credit for rebates, cash back
shopping, or contributions to funds. To the end
user ParasiteWare represents little in the way
of a security threat.
Adware
Adware, also known as an Adbot, can do a number
of things from profile your online surfing and
spending habits to popping up annoying ad
windows as you surf. In some cases Adware has
been bundled (i.e. peer-to-peer file swapping
products) with other software without the user's
knowledge or slipped in the fine print of a EULA
(End User License Agreement). Not all Adware is
bad, but often users are annoyed by adware's
intrusive behavior. Keep in mind that by
removing Adware sometimes the program it came
bundled with for free may stop functioning. Some
Adware, dubbed a "BackDoor Santa" may not
perform any activity other then profile a user's
surfing activity for study.
AdWare can be obnoxious in that it performs
"drive-by downloads". Drive-by downloads are
accomplished by providing a misleading dialogue
box or other methods of stealth installation.
Many times users have no idea they have
installed the application. Often Adware makers
make their application difficult to uninstall.
A "EULA" or End User License Agreement is the
agreement you accept when you click "OK" or
"Continue" when you are installing software.
Many users never bother to read the EULA.
It is imperative to actually read this agreement
before you install any software. No matter how
tedious the EULA, you should be able to find out
the intent BEFORE you install the software. If
you have questions about the EULA- e-mail the
company and ask them for clarification.
Spyware
Spyware is potentially more dangerous beast than
Adware because it can record your keystrokes,
history, passwords, and other confidential and
private information. Spyware is often sold as a
spouse monitor, child monitor, a surveillance
tool or simply as a tool to spy on users to gain
unauthorized access.
Spyware is also known as: snoopware, PC
surveillance, key logger, system recorders,
Parental control software, PC recorder,
Detective software and Internet monitoring
software.
Spyware covertly gathers user information and
activity without the user's knowledge. Spy
software can record your keystrokes as you type
them, passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive
information, where you surf, chat logs, and can
even take random screenshots of your activity.
Basically whatever you do on the computer is
completely viewable by the spy. You do not have
to be connected to the Internet to be spied
upon.
The latest permutations of Spyware include the
use of routines to mail out user activity via
e-mail or posting information to the web where
the spy can view it at their leisure. Also many
spyware vendors use "stealth routines" and
"polymorphic" (meaning to change" techniques to
avoid detection and removal by popular anti-spy
software.
In some cases Spyware vendors have went as far
as to counter-attack anti-spy packages by
attempting to break their use. In addition they
may use routines to re-install the spyware
application after it has been detected, causing
it to be "re-spawned" when you reboot your
computer.
Malware
Malware is slang for malicious software (mal -
ware). Malware is software designed specifically
to disrupt a computer system. A trojan horse,
worm or a virus could be classified as Malware.
Some advertising software can be malicious in
that it can try to re-install itself after you
remove it.
For the purpose of simplicity Malware is
software specifically engineered to damage your
machine or interrupt the normal computing
environment.
Some examples of
Malware:
Page Hijackers
Hijackers are applications that attempt to usurp
control of the user's home page and reset it
with one of the hijackers choosing. They are a
low security threat, but obnoxious. Most
Hijackers use stealth techniques or trick
dialogue boxes to perform installation.
Dialers
A dialer is a type of software used by
pornographic vendors. Once dialer software is
downloaded the user is disconnected from their
modem's usual Internet service provider and
another phone number and the user is billed.
While dialers do not spy on users they are
malicious in nature because they can cause huge
financial harm to the victim, usually in the
form of 1 - 900 phone charges..
If you have tried - unsuccessfully to rid
your PC of spyware and your PC is still running
slow, or the spyware keeps coming back, we can
get rid of it for you.
Spyware evaluation fee is just $25.00
If you computer is running slow, or you have
excessive popups and cannot get rid of them, we
can solve that problem for you.
We charge a flat evaluation fee of $25.00 to
diagnose your computer's problem.
The diagnostic fee is applicable to any repair
or upgrade we do. This allows us to expedite the
repair process and to start work right away. We
will not do any other work to your laptop or PC
without first giving you an estimate and we
receive your approval.
While we make every effort to protect your data
- you should always -
BACK-UP your data before dropping your machine
off for service.
Danthom Technical Solutions will not be held
responsible for data loss!
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