Malicious Software

While the Internet is a powerful resource and provides users with many useful and often entertaining things to see and do, it also has its dark side. Most people are familiar with freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, and file sharing. What they may not realize is that some of the aforementioned may contain code or components that allow the developers of these applications and tools to actually collect and disseminate information about those using them.

They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, install unwanted search bars, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page and even alter important system files. They can do all of this without your knowledge or permission. The security and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network!

There are also many PC surveillance tools that allow a user to monitor all kinds of activity on a computer, ranging from keystroke capture, screen snapshots, email logging, chat logging and just about everything else. These tools are often designed for parents, businesses and similar environments, but can be easily abused if they are installed on your computer without your knowledge.

If you feel your computer is suffering from some form of spyware or adware (malicious software) please call or contact us to schedule an appointment.