What is spyware?

Spyware refers to software that performs certain tasks on your computer, typically without your consent. This may include giving you advertising or collecting personal information about you from your computer.

How can I tell if I am infected?

• Computer seems sluggish. Spyware and other unwanted software are not necessarily designed to be efficient. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash..

• Web browser settings have changed and I can't change them back to the way they were. Some unwanted software has the ability to change your home page or search page settings. Even if you know how to adjust these settings, you may find that they revert back every time you restart your computer.

• I see pop-up advertisements all the time. Some unwanted software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren't related to a particular Web site you're visiting. These ads are often for adult sites.

• Web browser contains additional components that I don't remember downloading. Spyware and other unwanted software can add additional toolbars to your Web browser that you don't want or need. Even if you know how to remove these toolbars, they may return each time you restart your computer.

There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program.

Many kinds of unwanted software, including spyware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall this software, you might find that the program reappears as soon as you restart your computer. If you're having trouble uninstalling unwanted software, you may need to download a tool to do the job for you.

What can I do if I am infected with Spyware?

Download, install, & run spyware removal software on your computer. Some of the most popular 'free' spyware removal tools listed HERE.

If you have a problem with your pc or have an internet related problem, please call either 07738 712181 or 01234 818616, or send me a message using the 'contact us ' link.