Spyware A Major Computer Threat

Spyware has changed the face of computer threats forever.

It has helped make it so that computer users no longer have to fear for their computer’s health, but they must fear loss of privacy as well. In that way it has totally changed the game of computer protection and taken it to a level of utmost importance.

Understanding The Spyware Threat

Back in the early days of viruses, computer users were able to avoid them with relative ease; though, most didn’t really take the right precautions.

The fact was though, sticking to known software and computer disks that hadn’t been floating around the circuit was enough to keep things relatively safe.

This was back before the days of the internet, of course, when viruses found a new means of getting around.

When viruses first came into the mainstream people were slow to adopt things like antivirus software on their computers. Many just didn’t see the need to waste money. The fact of the matter was that viruses weren’t designed for anyone’s gain, but instead to cause a lot of trouble.

That meant that the worst case scenario a person’s computer could face was having to be reformatted, and therefore regular backups of data seemed to be protection enough.

When the internet gained popularity in the 90s viruses were able to spread at much faster rates than they had in the past. That alone caused more people to find the nuisance of computer viruses getting to them.

To make matters worse there were so many more viruses to deal with, with more showing up at rates that were too fast to keep up with.

Spyware Still Was Not The Major Computer Threat

These threats soon caused more people to give into the need of having antivirus software on their computers. But the true threats still weren’t fully understood, nor were the real dangers completely revealed until sometime later when spyware began to really make its mark.

Something else existed amongst common computer users’ knowledge back then. It was hacking. Everyone knew that hacking was a possibility but few people feared it because they didn’t have much information worth being hacked into, or they simply figured the odds of avoiding it were in their favour. Plus, a basic firewall seemed to do the trick.

Once Spyware Surfaced The Problems Really Started

Once spyware started to spread and people began to be informed about it, the real vulnerabilities of their computer lifestyles were revealed. The first problem was the fact that spyware didn’t always come in the form of a virus.

The second problem was it was often able to break through a firewall because users were tricked into downloading them purposefully. The third problem was they evolved to a point where they never made themselves known and could therefore operate on a computer for a long time without causing any suspicion.

The worst problem of all is that they were designed with truly malicious intent, which was and is to steal personal information, identities and money. Finally the computer world has got to a point where anyone can be at risk and where everyone can’t afford to not take precautions. Spyware isn’t just out to annoy.

Are you really protected from this growing Spyware Threat – Check Your Computer Now.

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