Spyware and adware are used to track online interests. Some spyware programs can track everything you do online and send this information to an unauthorized user, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft. The software is typically installed in hard-to-find places on a computer hard drive, making it difficult to uninstall.
Adware can record surfing habits, display pop-up windows or change your home page without your consent. Both spyware and adware can slow down your computer's performance by running processes beyond your view.
You can unknowingly acquire spyware programs when installing software from disks or downloading free programs for file sharing.
Symptoms of spyware and adware on your computer can include:
- Sluggish or choppy computer performance
- A barrage of unwanted pop-up ads
- New and unfamiliar toolbar icons
- Repeated or sudden changes in your Internet browser home page
To prevent spyware from harming your computer:
- Use caution when downloading software. When downloading free software like games, peer-to-peer file-sharing programs and customized toolbars, be aware that spyware programs are sometimes bundled with these software applications and could automatically install.
- Carefully read user agreements. The End-User License Agreement, or EULA, provides information about what you're downloading and how much access the company will have to your personal information. If the agreement is hard to understand or unclear, then you might reconsider downloading the software.
- Use anti-spyware. Spyware is often very difficult to remove without the help of anti-spyware programs (also known as spyware scanners). Our AT&T Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee (only free to DSL Express, Pro and Elite customers, not Basic) provide our broadband customers with these programs to help identify and remove spyware from your computer.
