Spyware Anti-Virus

Most anti-virus protection programs also offer protection against Spyware. But what is Spyware, and why is it something worth worrying about?

It’s a well known fact that many computer users are unknowingly infected by Spyware. Spyware comes in many different forms, some causing advertisements to pop up on your screen constantly, others more discreet, that track your activities on your computer. Not all Spyware is malicious, but protecting against the malicious kind is as important as protecting your computer against viruses.

As Spyware does not infect your computer the same way a virus does, it requires specific anti-virus to detect it. Programs such as Norton come ready-made with Spyware protection that will block websites from downloading content to your computer without your express permission. Spyware often comes from embedded videos watched online, which require downloading content to your computer to play. Anti-viruses like Norton watch for the string of code that indicates Spyware, and alerts you to its presence.

As Spyware is relatively new in comparison to viruses, the methods of detecting and combating it continue to evolve. It’s important to remember that a lot of Spyware will download advertisements to your computer, telling you that you don’t have protection against Spyware and prompting you to click through to a website to protect yourself. Don’t ever trust them immediately, search first online and find out what other people have to say about the product. You want to make sure that you are protected, and not opening yourself up to more vulnerabilities.