These problems are bad enough in themselves, but many spyware programs are more than just a hassle -- they're invasive and destructive. They may log and track user browsing habits, which is typically an invasion of privacy. They may cause other programs to fail either because they have no friendly interaction (i.e. hijacking certain file extensions) or because spyware programs consume inordinate amounts of system resources.
The worst spyware also interfere with low-level system settings. Some rewrite the HOSTS file to redirect commonly-resolved network address names and hijack network traffic. Others may freely change Registry settings or install programs that masquerade as system-level services, which are nearly impossible to remove easily. Some even install themselves as low-level network components to do even more traffic snooping. Fortunately, because most spyware behave in a fairly obnoxious manner, they tend to at least alert the user to their presence before too long.
How to remove spyware
Home: Introduction
| ABOUT THE AUTHOR: |
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Serdar Yegulalp Serdar Yegulalp is the editor of the Windows 2000 Power Users Newsletter. Check it out for the latest advice and musings on the world of Windows network administrators -- and please share your thoughts as well! Copyright 2005 TechTarget |
This was first published in June 2005
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