Clues that Indicate that You Have Spyware

The quickest and simplest way to see if you have spyware on your computer is to get a spyware detecting program and run it. Usually, you will be completely unaware that you even have this stuff on your computer. The first clue might be that suddenly something doesn't look or feel right and/or something doesn't work right or stops working. You want to be sure to keep this stuff off your computer. Usually, these programs are quite harmless. There are some really bad ones though, that can get your most personal information and really mess up your life. There are some simple clues to look for that can let you know if you are running spyware unknowingly.

Here are some things to watch for when looking for spyware:

If your search tool bar or Internet browser bar looks different than when you last saw it. There will be extra buttons that you did not install, that just seem to have magically appeared.

If you try to remove a piece of software and it won't allow you to, or it just comes right back.

While searching through the address bar, you are brought to pages you are completely unfamiliar with or didn't match your search inquiry.

Your homepage on your browser has altered without your permission to something unwanted. Regardless of how many times you reset it, it always comes back.

Pop-up windows perpetually advertising all manner of things even when you're not online or browsing the net. This is a strong indicator that you have something on your computer.

You start to get more than the usual pop-ups. Instead of the one or two when you access a web site, you are now getting four or more.

Your anti-virus or anti-spyware program isn't operating properly, stops working altogether, or keeps giving you error messages.

There are new sites in your favorites menu, that you didn't put there. When you try to delete them, they just keep coming back.

Your computer seems to be running much slower than usual. It takes so much longer than usual to perform tasks, and to get things to open or close.

The lights are flashing on your modem or your online connection flashes even when you are not using online programs or games.

If you have dial up, your phone bill has expensive calls on it you didn't make, or is unusually high.

If you find spyware on your computer, then you will want to erradicate it as soon as you can. Always make sure your anti-virus is current and run it frequently if it has an anti-spyware program built into it. Most companies include this feature today with their software. You will have one of two kinds of programs, if this is included in your package. You may have the type of software that will nab the spyware as it attempts to get onto your machine and stop it from installing right away. This is a great feature to have on your anti-virus software. This will keep your machine spyware free and is worth the cost. You may, on the other hand, have the type of anti-virus that only detects spyware when you run a scan. If this is the case and you are on the net often, you will want to run at least one scan per day to keep your computer spyware free. Many spyware programs get downloaded to your machine without your awareness. All it takes is for you to enter a specific web site or click a link and it is being downloaded right under your nose. Always perform a scan before shutting off your computer each day; it is a good routine to establish.

If you are not one of the lucky ones who have the software built into your computer then you will have to download it. There are plenty of terrific anti-spyware programs out there to choose from. If you are only going to get the free version of particular software, download a few programs. Some may scan for things the others don't. Most of them are also fairly reasonable to buy and work well. Make sure to run them several times per day, or at least once. This will keep your computer free of spyware.