Spyware Cease and Desist 

Beware: free spyware and adware programs come with some of your favorite downloads. And before you know it all you can think of is Spyware Cease please!

Spyware can enter a computer in several ways-- spam e-mail, attachments or Web pages.

Likewise, be very careful also of free programs that you download on the Internet. Some free versions of programs contain spyware so be sure to read the agreements before agreeing to install certain products. Also, it should be noted that older versions of Internet Explorer make one's system very vulnerable to spyware attacks because of its close link and integration to the Windows platform.

There are many reasons as to why spyware is proliferating on the Internet. One such reason is to enable unsolicited pop-ups as a targeted marketing tactic but sometimes, spyware or malware is used to be able to commit criminal acts such as identity fraud by stealing passwords and vital credit information.

Most general antivirus programs, even those that claim to cease spyware, are rarely totally effective because this breed of pest is unique and requires special attention. Spyware is often embeded in legitimate programs; this makes it appear to the antivirus product more like a normal program and thus avoids detection. In addition, unlike virus writers who earn nothing but scorn for their efforts--and often go to prison if they are caught--spyware writers are well paid for their skills by illicit marketing firms and so are among the best and brightest programmers.

Spyware is technically a virus, but unlike most viruses its usual goal is not to destroy data but to steal it. Spyware tracks where you browse or triggers pop-up screens designed to make online sales.

Spyware can also secretly tracks a variety of personal information from  you on your computer using techniques like tracking internet browsing patterns, logging keystrokes and some spyware is even sophisticated enough to scan documents from the computer's hard drive. Other spyware bugs can browse through a computer and modify files.

While the mere fact that you are on the Internet and browsing immediately makes you vulnerable to spyware, there are some measures that you can take to ensure safer web usage. For instance, you should install legitimate anti-spyware programs to detect, eradicate and cease future installations of spyware on your system. Don't fall for the spyware trick that uses phony messages that pop up in your browser. Test whether a message is legit by right-clicking the image. If you see the 'Save Picture As…' option, it's likely a trap. Close your browser. Stay away from Dangerous Search Words.

Here are the 15 most dangerous search words in Google, as reported in
the McAfee report “The Safety of Internet Search Engines”:

% Red or Yellow Results

1. Free Screensavers (64 percent)
2. Bear share (57 percent)
3. Screensavers (54.6 percent)
4. Winmx (50.5 percent)
5. Limeware (46.4 percent)
6. Download Yahoo Messenger (43.7 percent)
7. Lime wire (40.9 percent)
8. Free ringtones (38.1 percent)
9. D4I (37.6 percent)
10. Ares (34.4 percent)
11. Winzip (36.5 percent)
12. MP3 music download (35.4 percent)
13. Free music download (35 percent)
14. Free music downloads (34.4 percent)
15. Free music (34 percent)

Don't trust many of the free anti-spyware downloads on the Net because some of those are there to trick you into installing "free" spyware and adware programs into your computer.

Although Microsoft and other software vendors have redoubled their efforts to bolster computer security, it's still up to you to stay safe online. Cease spyware with good surfing habits and good antispyware programs.