PARASITEWARE ON WINDOWS COMPUTERS
Parasiteware (also called "spyware," "adware,"
or "malware") is unwanted software that installs itself on your computer
without your knowledge or consent when you view webpages or download
files from the Internet.
Parasiteware can dramatically slow your
computer's performance, bombard you with pop-ups, or even cause you to
lose your Internet access altogether. The most
malicious types may take over your browser and reset your hompepage,
or worse yet, allow outsiders to access personal information
on your computer.
Even if you think you always browse the Internet responsibly, you are
not immune from these pests. Parasiteware-writers have found many ways to
sneak
their files onto your computer without your knowledge or consent. According
to Microsoft, parasiteware and other deceptive software is responsible
for more
than 50% of Windows
operating systems
failures, costing millions of dollars in computer support each year.
How can I tell if my computer has been infected
with parasiteware?
How did parasiteware enter my computer?
How can I avoid getting parasiteware?
How
can I remove parasiteware from my computer?
How can I tell if my computer has been infected with parasiteware?
Unlike viruses, parasiteware is not designed to harm your computer. It parks itself somewhere in your PC and starts generating pop-up ads and/or collecting information about your computing habits. In the process, it may cause your computer to start running more slowly, particularly when you are using the Internet.
How did parasiteware
enter my computer?
Parasiteware can enter your computer via direct
installation, piggybacking, or security holes. Direct installation
occurs when you install a program that advertises itself
as useful, such as
a
toolbar
to assist web browsing, but is actually parasiteware. Piggybacking
occurs when parasiteware attaches itself to a free software program you
install
on your
computer. Security
holes are known security flaws in Internet Explorer that
parasiteware exploits
to enter your computer when you are browsing with IE.
How can I avoid parasiteware?
- Be sure your browser security level is set to at least medium. (Settings
higher than medium may make websites less usable.)
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click on Tools, then Internet Options, then on the Privacy tab.
- Move the slider to select a medium privacy setting.
- Click OK when done.
- Never accept downloads from people or companies you don't know or
trust. Avoid websites with questionable content.
- Beware of peer-to-peer file sharing services.
- Read the conditions and terms of any software you intend to install
carefully, before you click "Accept", "Agree",
or
"OK".
- Periodically check your list of installed programs for unwanted invaders.
(Go to: Start, Programs, Control Panel, Add/Remove Software).
Note: If you are unsure whether a program is parasiteware, look it up in Google before deleting it so you don't remove any essential programs.
- Keep your Windows operating system up-to-date by
running all the latest updates and patches.
How can I remove parasiteware from my computer?
Parasiteware can be very difficult to find and remove. Fortunately, McAfee VirusScan is now bundled with McAfee AntiSpyware, which is self-updating, runs continuously in the background, and automatically deletes any parasiteware it finds.
For instructions on downloading
and running McAfee VirusScan + AntiSpyware, go to the Smith software page.
Note: If your computer is bogged down and running very slowly, the following rapid-removal tools do an excellent job of clearing all malware out of your system:
- MalwareBytes Anti-Malware
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- CCleaner
You can download any or all of these programs from the Smith software page.
