Part II: How to Detect Spyware

The following are some of the tell tale signs that your computer is infected with spyware:

• Computer seems to have a mind of its own.

  Often times spyware software is designed to run undetected in the background. Because of this, this software doesn't run like typical application programs such as Microsoft Excel. Instead, this software runs what are called processes which instruct the operating system or applications to perform certain functions. You can see what processes are running on your computer by opening the Task Manager. Simply press the Ctrl, the Alt and the Delete keys at once on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.

• Computer seems sluggish.

  There are several reasons your computer may be running slow, but if you use it on a regular basis, then you're familiar with its noises, hang-ups, how long it takes to do common functions and how it reacts in general. Some applications cause computers to seem slower while running because they use system resources such as CPU cycles, memory and an Internet connection. Spyware is no exception. Computers are machines, they do not have moods. A sudden change in how your computer is running could be a sign of spyware.

• Settings on your computer have changed and/or your web browser has components, such as toolbars, that you don't remember installing or activating.

  Some spyware add components to commonly used applications such as Internet Explorer. These toolbars typically pose as having utilities such as search engines and pop-up blockers. Spyware can also changing your browser settings to direct you to a different home page or web search page. Some other more harmful types of spyware can even change your network settings in order to send data that it is collecting to other computers.

• Pop-Up Advertisement

  Spyware can generate pop-up adds. However, not all pop-up adds are generated by spyware. Here are some ways to differenciate spyware ads from legitimate advertisements.
  
  

  1. Are you online? Do you have a browser open (broadband connection) or have you dialed in to your ISP (dial-up connection)? Ads that pop-up on your desktop or while you are offline are a possible sign of an spywareware infestation.
     
     
  2. Did you just visit a Web site or open a new Web page? Most legitimate pop-up ads launch when you open a new page.
     
     
  3. Do the ads you see seem to be targeting you based on terms you have searched for recently or sites you have been visiting? Sometimes this is good marketing when done within a Web site, but if you keep seeing ads that seem close to your most recent online search, especially if you are still seeing these ads after moving on to a web site that is not related to that search, it may be the result of spyware.