If we knew what most spyware was doing to your system, we would never agree to install it. So how does it end up installed on so many PCs? Here are some of the tricks that spyware makers use to weisel its way onto our systems and stay there. Spyware gets installed onto our systems using some of the following techniques. These are just some of the techniques that Spyware uses to get installed there are other ways as well:

1) Spyware uses confusing language in it's license agreement.

The license agreements don't just come out and say "we're going to collect information and slow your machine down". Instead, the licenses are full of vague and confusing language that is persuading to customers ensuring they agree to the license agreement.

2) Spyware creates a feeling for needing the software.

A friend sends you an email requesting that you go to a site to view a joke, greeting card, or other interesting information, so you go to the site and wehn you arive at that site you are asked to install a piece of software in order to view the item. You figure no harm my friend sent me to this site! That installation ends up being spyware, and it sends a similar request to everyone you have listed in your address book. In the license agreement you agreed to but decided not to read because your friend sent you to this site you gave the spyware permission to do this.

3) Spyware keeps asking until you finally say Yes.

Some spyware is sent using an ActiveX control that tries to install each time you visit a web page where spyware resides. The browser will ask if you want to install. If you say yes the spyware is installed on your machine. If you say no, usually as soon as you load another page from that site you will be asked the question of whether you want to install again. After seeing this a few times some people get frustrated and just say yes. If you run into this problem while visiting a site The-PC-Paramedics.com highly recommends that you leave the site.

4) Spyware hides inside another program's installer.

Spyware often gets installed on you machine when you access peer-to-peer sites such as the various music sharing sites out there or when you download freeware programs. The only indication that you may be installing spyware while accessing these type of downloads is that you may see a sentence or two in the license agreement stating something like "third party software may be installed with the application.

5) Spyware looks required, or be invisible.

Some spyware will appear to be a required file on your system so that you'll be less likely to disable it if you see it running. Other spyware maintains a low profile by using different file names and locations, or even generating a random file name to escape detection. To further hide its existence and reduce the likelyness that you will find it, many spyware packages will install software updates without your knowledge.

6) Spyware won't uninstall even when asked.

A lot of spyware will not uninstall even when you manually uninstall the application that originally installed the spyware. In many cases the only way to completely remove spyware is with a utility like a free spyware scan.

Note: The-PC-Parameics.com recommends that you do not rely soley on a free spyware scan you may need to use multiple utilities to fully remove spyware from your system.

Are you interested in obtaining support? Click here to fill out our service request form or call 860-941-8847.

To see our services click the more info button!