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Buying a computer? Ask these 3 questions!
1. Why do you need a computer? Whether you are a new user or advanced one, whether this is your first computer or second (or even third), be clear as to why you want a computer before you even think of buying one. How will you use your computer?...
Find the Host With the Most
Find the Host With the Most No one can deny that the quality and reliability of your Web presence can make or break your business. The average attention span of a Web surfer is a mere 20 seconds, and your competition is always just a click away if...
HPC Systems, Inc. Announces First 8-Way Processor AMD Opteron™ Server
San Jose, CA November 16, 2004 –- HPC Systems, Inc. announces the availability of the A5220HS Server, the industry’s first 8 Processor AMD Opteron™ based Server utilizing HTX-PRO™ technology by Iwill USA Corporation. This technology allows the AMD64...
Microsoft SQL 2000 Disaster Recovery with SANRAD V-Switch - Planning Guide
Designing a disaster recovery system requires planning and
consideration of the available options that will best fit your
company's needs, SLA and budget. With SANRAD DR Solution there
is no need to use Log shipping (which requires extra...
What makes a good Web Hosting Provider!
When building your website and getting it hosted online, you want your site to be up and running on the World Wide Web 24/7 without any hitches so that it is making you money all the time and all you have to worry about then is getting visitors to...
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Spyware versus Adware; the Difference Impacts Your Privacy
Many people use the terms Spyware and Adware interchangeably. You shouldn't! There are important differences between the two. True, both terms refer to the act of tracking your computer activity, such as how long you visited a particular Web site.
However, the key difference is the intent behind how and why a business collects your information. Adware is commonly associated with pop-up advertisements used by businesses trying to sell you something. However, Spyware, the more malicious of the two, isn't trying to sell you, instead, it's trying to take something from you -- your credit card and social security numbers and bank account information. Some Spyware collects information about you and, if placed in the wrong hands, could be detrimental to your financial wellbeing and used to steal your identity. Adware is usually something you can see. Whereas Spyware often can't be seen, in fact, businesses behind Spyware don't want you to know they're lurking. Therefore, you may have a Spyware infection and not know it. One vicious Spyware is keylogging, a tool that hangs about in the background, logging your keystrokes, including account numbers and passwords you type on your keyboard, and then sends the information to the originating source.
Future of Spyware
Spyware
will only become more invasive with no concern for your privacy, regardless of what you want or think. Worse, no one piece of software will protect you from the above. Why? One belief is that there are far more research dollars being spent on developing Spyware than combating it, since the information derived from the former is more lucrative.
Protecting Yourself
There are two methods to protect yourself, both are equally important.
1. Manage your computer usage behavior. If you download most anything for free - movies, software, music, etc., then you can anticipate being exposed to highly aggressive forms of Spyware.
2. Utilize anti-spyware software programs and a hardware firewall. Both help to fend off Spyware. Lavasoft's Ad-Aware se and Microsoft's AntiSpyware (Beta) programs are reputable.
About the Author
Sharron Senter is co-founder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com - an on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks' technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron at http://www.SharronSenter.com None
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