Spy Dog Investigates Spyware Protection Programs
Spy Dog investigates top spyware protection software. Top spyware detection programs compared starting on this page.
Collectively, spyware is a group of malicious little programs that invade your computer, often without you even being aware of it. They enter by means of short little software scripts (programs) embedded in the pages you view when you are surfing the Web, reading your email or chatting on your favorite blog or chatroom. Spyware is a separate class of unwanted pests from those we call Adware or viruses.
Nearly everyone that uses a computer understands the term "virus." They know that there are malicious people out there who get their jollies from developing destructive programs and releasing them onto the Net for the sole purpose of wreaking havoc with other peoples computers. Viruses generally self-replicate and spread through other computers by attaching themselves to email and sending themselves to any mailing list found on the computer.
However, there is another class of computer invaders that in many ways can be far more dangerous than any virus you can imagine. Generally known as SPYWARE, these nasty little invaders, much like there counterparts in the real world, can destroy your life. While Adware generally is an annoyance sitting on your computer and popping up advertisements every so often, Spyware looks for ID's and password files, logs every key stroke you type and watches for financial information, ID's and passwords. This is one of the chief methods of Identity Theft.
Few people understand that most anti-virus software programs are not designed to stop spyware. In order to be effective, virus protection software is designed to detect specific patterns known to be viruses. To protect from spyware you really need a separate program designed specifically for this problem.
