Trespassing privacy

Does your Internet browser start with unexpected homepage? Or does your internet surfing end in a website full of ads and popping promotional windows? Probably the problem is spyware on your computer. Try to remember about recent free software installations. Many spyware threats come thru unpaid programs. Free software designers do not get money for the software they created but they do get paid for the computer infection that came using freeware.

ActiveX - spread of infection

Imagine, you received an e-mail, providing a link that claims to be very important and it has to be downloaded into internet browser. After you clicked on the link you get the note that information can be viewed using special software only. You are advised to click "yes" on the dialog box. The only thing that happens is - spyware is installed on your machine. You did not get any important message as the e-mail letter suggested. Many users skip reading software license: "after software installation you give a right to use all of the addresses located in your personal address book...". Or the license could be: "by clicking yes you allow us to alter your internet browsers homepage". That is just two examples about how spyware stuff work. Read license before installing suspicious programs.

Dialers deliver huge phone bills

If you have a modem you should be concerned about spyware related dialers. Dialer makes your modem silent, disconnects from default connection and rings high-valued phone lines. You can avoid that denying internet browser to launch ActiveX (Tools->Internet Options->Security | under internet zone press Default level and scroll to high).