What is spyware and adware?

Spyware programs can track how you use your computer or surf online without your permission. It transmits information back to a third party without notifying the user. It is often installed with other 'free' programs without your permission or clearly identifying that it exists on your computer. Spyware can be difficult to uninstall.

Adware presents popup/popunder ads that are displayed when the main product is not running or do not appear to be connected with the product (such as popunder ads while web browsing). These ads may or may not be targeted and are not displayed within the form of an ad-sponsored application. Adware is often installed along side other 'free' programs that provide file sharing (P2P), clock syncing and weather reports amongst other uses.

These hidden programs bog down your computer and can make it run very slowly or not at all. Every day internet surfers install SpyWare and AdWare components on their PC's without even knowing it by clicking on pop up ads, downloading music files, installing free programs and so on. Other consequences from Spyware:

hijackedbrowsers
reset home pages
changed search results
spam emails sent to you
ip ads displayed
slow browsers
toolbars added to your browser
and many more....

For links to free spyware/adware protection see our Virus Protection page. It is crucial you scan your computer with some type of anti-spysoftware at least weekly. It is also very important to make sure the software is updated every time it is used. Most software make the update process very simple.

SafeTsurf Internet Content Filtering also blocks known spyware sites and other "bad" bad sites, no matter who you ISP is.

Back to MICS