ABS Customer Technical Support
Do you think you might be affected by Spyware?
Spyware is a more recent threat emerging from the Internet as a major
annoyance and expense to a lot of people today. Spyware is often
categorized as any piece of software that either gathers personal information to
report via the internet, malicious code that changes computer settings without
warning or permission (often referred to as malware), or software that consumes
your internet speed by constantly downloading unwanted Internet content ranging
from advertisements and annoying pop-up warnings to pornographic content.
What qualifies as Spyware?
How did I get all this Spyware on my PC?
How can I stop Spyware?
"What qualifies as Spyware?"
- Programs that "silently" install themselves on your PC without
warning or permission.
- Programs that download Internet content constantly either for advertising
or unwanted media content.
- Software that consumes your internet speed by reporting personal
information, internet searches, what websites you're visiting, or other
information back to a parent computer for analysis to be used for
demographic purposes.
- Malicious code that can do anything from "hijack" your homepage
and change it, to changing your default search engine, to adding Favorites
or Bookmarks without permission.
- Internet "cookies" that track personal information or info about
your PC that the companies that utilize those cookies don't need from your
PC.
"How did I get all this Spyware on my PC?"
- You may have downloaded from a website without realizing it.
- It may have been "bundled" with another program you downloaded
from the Internet and installed (such as file-sharing programs, music
download programs, and other "free" software)
- You may have received a pop-up window that prompted you to check your
computer for Spyware or viruses. Clicking on these pop-ups don't check
for Spyware or viruses. Instead, they often redirect you to websites
that will install Spyware on your PC.
- You may have received a window that asked you to install something.
It may have used the term ActiveX. Some of these components (such as
anything on Microsoft's website, Adobe Acrobat or Macromedia Flash, for
example) are legitimate software enhancements that don't contain harmful
code. However, you should always read the boxes that pop up to see who
the publisher is to determine who the software company is. If you
don't recognize the name or can't tell what you're installing, odds are you
don't want to.
"How can I stop Spyware?" you may
ask. There are several ways to protect your computer against Spyware:
- Get a pop-up blocker. There are several pop-up
blockers* out there such as STOPzilla!
or the free Google toolbar. If
your PC has Windows XP, you can update to Service
Pack 2** which comes with a built-in pop-up and malicious content
blocker.
- Download, update, and scan with Spyware removal tools***
such as Ad-aware or Spybot:
Search & Destroy (both free), or purchase commercial Spyware removal
software. Some Spyware removal tools (such as Spybot) offer the
ability to "immunize" which can block certain types of Spyware
from reinstalling itself on your PC.
- Educate yourself and your family to avoid the "free" software on
the Internet that leads to Spyware problems such as music download programs,
file-sharing software, and other such "free" software that contain
small references in their license agreements to the additional components
they install. Remember, even though it may be advertised as
"free" you will probably still end up paying for it, either
through lost time, lost revenue, or the cost of having Spyware removed from
your system.
ABS has special removal tools for Spyware that can detect and remove Spyware
programs that refuse to be removed by conventional means. If you are plagued
by Spyware on your PC and need it removed, call us at 308-381-6500 or toll free
at 800-297-2667 to schedule an in-store or on-site appointment for Spyware
removal.
*Please note that ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. makes no
warranties, expressed or implied with the use of any pop-up blocker software,
nor is ABS affiliated with any software vendor who produces such
software. We can only recommend software based on prior experience and
proven effectiveness. ABS can take no responsibility for problems
caused by this software, either through improper installation, improper use, or
conflicts with hardware drivers or other programs on your PC. Also, be
aware that there are a number of so-called "pop-up blockers" that
actually contain spyware and advertisements, just like those you may be trying
to avoid with the use of such software.
**Please note that Service Pack 2 is a very large download and should not be
attempted over dial-up. Instead, consider ordering an SP2 CD-ROM from
Microsoft. Also, certain software programs are not compatible with Service
Pack 2 without a program update, and any other software that is not compatible with
Service Pack 2 at all and may stop functioning. Abacus Business System,
Inc. takes no responsibility for programs that cease to function after the
installation of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, nor do we make any warranties, expressed or implied, by suggesting you install it on your system.
Please check with the software manufacturers for the programs installed on your
PC prior to updating to SP2 in order to avoid software complications.
***Please note that ABS Computer Headquarters, L.L.C. makes
no warranties, expressed or implied, guaranteeing the success of Spyware removal
when using any available Spyware removal software, nor is ABS affiliated with
any particular anti-Spyware software vendor. The above links are
provided as a convenience to you as a customer, and as such we can take no
responsibility for damage to your PC, lost data, or conflicts in Windows or
other software programs that may be caused by installation, update, scanning, or
component removal by any of these programs.
| Are you concerned
with what your employees are doing on the Internet? Do you have
problems with employees accessing information they aren't supposed to,
simply because it's not secure? ABS can help! We can help you secure
your network from the inside so you can rest easy, knowing your data
is protected. |
|