what is spyware and why is it on my computer?

[RainDog]

or so a pop up said...so what the heck is that pop up doing rummaging around in my computer?

[lcordero]

1. spyware takes information about your surfing habits and whatever

kind of identifying information your computer has and sends it to it's "home".
Some of the spyware is not particularly computer-friendly. My brother has had issues with GAIN/gator causing blue screens and causing reboots.

Try using adaware, you'll find it here:
http://download.com.com/3001-2144-10214379.html

[RainDog]

2. thanks! n/t

.

[oxycontinrush]

3. Ad-aware is great

I recommend it to everyone.

[Pale_Rider]

7. Actually Spybot appears to be better ...

... in a side-by-side comparison. Spybot was able to detect other varieties of spyware that Ad-aware missed. Also Spybot has an auto-immunize feature that prevents spyware from embedding itself. Its a must to have either Ad-aware or Spybot on your system these days.

[VOX]

9. Agreed. I like Spybot much better...

n/t

[Norbert]

16. Tried Ad-aware and Spybot.

My preference is spybot since it did a more effective job of ridding spyware on my PC. Spybot also had a link to Spyware Blaster on their web-site. Before doing this my PC was running slow on the Internet.

I run both of them a couple times a week and run my anti-virus program every time I boot up.

[LTR]

14. I use both

AdAware and Spybot work well together. And each detects things the other doesn't.

[Don_G]

8. I'm Not A Big Fan Of Ad-Aware

It likes to interrupt my time with DU to send error reports.

[NaMeaHou]

4. Thou art evil

or so I hear.

?

[acmavm]

5. Spyware plants cookies all over your computer to send out information.

When you download programs that you think are "cute" or when you visit websites or when you subscribe to some websites they plant these stupid cookies that constantly send messages back to their "host" about when you are on-line, what websites you visit, and things like that.

Go out on the web and get the program SpyhunterS and run it. You'll be shocked at how much crap is on your computer.

[illini]

6. You will also need spybot.

It picks up some things that ad-aware doesn't and virsa versa.

[RainDog]

10. again, thanks.

computers are as bad as telephones and door-to-door salespeople these days,as far as getting unwanted solicitations and knocks on your door.

[DiverDave]

11. Go to

www.pcpitstop.com

I have been using it for 2 years, gives you tweaks to improve performance and searches out and identifies spyware.
Then gives instructions to remove it.
All around good site.

[FlaGranny]

12. You don't necessarily have spyware.

That popup is just a popup - advertising their product by scaring you into thinking you have spyware. That's not saying you don't have spyware, though, but if you want to be safe, get spyware protection.

Edit: grammar

[LTR]

15. It's a bogus pop-up

I've gotten it even after running AdAware.

Do NOT click on this pop-up (as you all know). Chances are, it will probably install more spyware.

Get AdAware, Spybot and Norton. All three detect various forms of spyware/malware.

[Robb]

13. Stupid question:

Is spyware a big issue for Mac users?

[FDRrocks]

17. It's a virus

and you probably have it. It installs itself without notifying you, runs programs in the background that you don't want running, and cause dog the performance of your computer. Ad-Aware is a gem.