| Welcome to the world of the unprotected, vulnerable | | | | that you thought would be useful, but the truth is, it will |
| computer systems that have not installed any kind of | | | | only lead you to a larger nursery of viruses waiting to |
| antivirus nor set up any firewall. Browsing the Web | | | | be clicked while they hide themselves in freebies and |
| without any of these programs on is like skydiving | | | | discounts that unwary surfers would bite in. They can |
| without a parachute. On the sample scenario stated | | | | also hack your passwords, financial accounts, club |
| above, the user is undoubtedly attacked by the | | | | memberships and even your local disk drive contents, |
| so-called spyware, a computer program that is | | | | depending on the severity of the attack. Spywares |
| responsible for unexplained installation of additional | | | | can also make your computer sluggish as it slows |
| programs in your web browser, or sudden computer | | | | down other programs working against their hidden |
| crashes. These spywares commonly bundle | | | | processes that share with your RAM. |
| themselves in executable files that come with your | | | | They also redirect internet browsing to another |
| downloaded freeware, usually prompting the user to | | | | website, or launch pop-ups that can direct you to your |
| install an add-on that is claimed to be a requirement in | | | | system's grave-an overdose of viruses cannot be |
| making your program run properly. Spywares can also | | | | tolerated by your system, so the last resort is to |
| be acquired from malicious websites that offer videos, | | | | reformat your disk, thereby causing you to lose your |
| games or other applications for free by just clicking | | | | files and applications just because of this tricky |
| download links that are actually embedded with | | | | attacker on the leash. Preventing these attacks is |
| spywares that can penetrate your system's | | | | actually simple. If you make it a habit to monitor your |
| processes, making your computer prone to hacking | | | | system's performance and be cautious with the |
| attacks, sudden PC crashes and even system | | | | content of what you download in the Web, you will |
| corruption. All of these can happen in a very short | | | | never get into trouble with these spywares. Also, keep |
| period of time, so make sure that you are protected | | | | an antivirus or anti-spyware running and update them |
| against these harmful spywares. | | | | regularly. Enable firewall protections offered by your |
| What can spywares do in your system? They can | | | | operating system. Most importantly, be vigilant and |
| monitor your computer's processes without your | | | | cautious in surfing websites that arouse suspicion, they |
| knowledge and can send this information in the Internet. | | | | can pose a very serious danger to your computer if |
| They can also independently install additional services | | | | you don't watch out for them. |