Spyware

What is Spyware?

"Spyware" is a software program installed on your computer -- usually without your explicit approval -- that transmits personal information across the internet to companies without your knowledge or consent. Companies use this information in a number of ways including accumulating marketing data, resale to others, and compiling mailing lists for unsolicited email . Most people would not choose to knowingly install spyware on their computers, but companies often "piggyback" the programs with other popular software such as file sharing applications (e.g. Kazaa, Bearshare).

"Adware", a subset of Spyware, is software installed on your computer. It is installed without your explicit approval and serves unwanted web browser pop-up advertisements to you. In addition to sending information about you and your web browsing habits to companies, adware uses up finite network bandwidth and system resources to do so, often causes computer and connection slowness, and may conflict with other software.

"Pop-Up Ads" are advertisements that appears on top of (over) the browser window of a Web site that a user has visited .

Do I have Spyware?

If your PC has any or all of these symptoms, it probably has Spyware installed on it:
• Your browser homepage has been changed.
• You have excessive pop-up ads.
• You have new toolbars in your browser.
• You have slow and/or intermittent PC operations.
• You have low Internet access speed.
• You have frequent PC crashes.
• You receive a large amount of spam.

To Check for and Remove Spyware from your computer:

CS supported customers can automatically scan and remove Spyware from the computers by double clicking on the "Run Spybot" icon in the "Fixes & Utilities" folder inside Novell Application launcher window.

Pop-Up Blocker Tools:

• Google Toolbar

Spyware:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Spyware information/tools for home users

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