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How Malware, Spyware, and Other Bad Stuff Gets on Your Computer
Great article on how computers pick up trouble while using the internet.
I was asked recently to check a laptop that was doing some odd things like browsers opening to a certain page and not being able to go to another site. That's a pretty obvious case of browser hijacking, but getting to what caused it took some time. The owner asking how it could have gotten there caused a flurry of explanations from my end.
Then I ran across this article from the How-To Geek. It describes several ways computers using Windows can pick up bugs, including bundled crapware, a run down on scareware, and processes that run before and after infections. The article includes useful screen shots of some of the more common scareware and a time line on how fast infection can occur. The article doesn't cover each and every way computers become infected but it does a great job listing things that can happen while casually surfing the net. Next time someone asks how something got on their computer I'll point them to this article. =)
How Does Spyware, Malware or Crapware Get on My Computer?
Over and out,
Rhiannon
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Comments
im clueless on computers, so this kinda helps. thankssssss!
an invisible person, who loves him. <3
I didn't see much for "things that can happen while casually surfing the net" described in the howtogeek article, while having hoped to see something about why it is that I can post to websites and send emails, but ONLY very short text; about the length of this post.
Depends on how you surf the net. Most of the people I know do (or have done) some or all of the things listed in the article.
Screensavers in particular are a problem.
Forgot to sign.
Mike Corbeil
et brocklesby
This is all to well a sad problem. I was reviewing the DVD burners on the best free DVD site.
I downloaded one burner and installed it on my computer. Unfortunately I missed something and a program called Ask.com installed itself on my computer and hijacked my firefox search engine. It took me sometime to get rid of it,It may be a legit sight but we should all be forwarned of these things when the reviewer go's through the programs. I for one do not like things being put on my computer without my knowledge. The website you pointed us to was great, and it gave you a good insight as to what can happen if you unsupectingly put something on your computer that should not be there.
I am now trawling through my computer to find out if any other programs are there that should not be there
Keep up the good work.
Software installers which contain Ask.com toolbar... often contain a screen which comes during installation, and there you can choose the option not to install this toolbar, or their home page. That's why, while installing a software, be careful... watch for the screens.. many softwares offer configuration settings while you install them... that's why I am always careful, and I give it sometime when installing a software. It really helps, to avoid any such happenings. A little time of patience can save you a lot of time later on :).
Anupam Shriwatri
I'm a novice..but this is what I do...I will down load and install in "virtual", run it use it get to know it and find out safely whether I like it or not, what problems there may be ect. Also, If I have any questions at all re the safety of the software, I will first scan using my antivirus and then upload to virus total to be scanned by their 41 antivirus engines.
I run into the toolbar installation pretty often. Usually it's the Yahoo toolbar. The notification is small and you have to uncheck a tiny box if you don't want it installed. Easy to miss if you aren't looking for something like that.
Thanks for the tech treat, great article for computer newbies.
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